By word of mouth
Meaning
Information or a message that is communicated orally from person to person rather than through written or digital means.
Origin
The concept of relaying information orally is as old as human language itself. The phrase "by word of mouth" emerged in English during the medieval period, explicitly describing the act of spoken transmission. It literally captures the image of words passing from one person's mouth to another's ear, highlighting the direct and personal nature of such exchanges. Before widespread literacy and the advent of printing, this was the primary, and often sole, method for sharing news, stories, and knowledge, solidifying its essential role in human interaction and its lasting presence in our lexicon.
Examples
- Most of their new customers came to the restaurant by word of mouth, as they didn't invest much in traditional advertising.
- The news of the successful expedition spread quickly through the village by word of mouth, reaching everyone before the official report was even drafted.