water cooler

== English == === Etymology 1 === For the gossip sense, compare scuttlebutt, of similar origin. ==== Noun ==== water cooler (plural water coolers) A dispenser of cooled drinking water. (figuratively) A location in the workplace where employees gather to chat or gossip. ===== Alternative forms ===== water-cooler, watercooler ===== Synonyms ===== water dispenser ===== Derived terms ===== water cooler effect water cooler talk ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === Attributive use of the noun. ==== Adjective ==== water cooler (comparative more water cooler, superlative most water cooler) Of the nature of things discussed around a water cooler. In those days The Late Show was Monday water cooler topic du jour. water-cooler gossip, water-cooler talk, water-cooler conversation, water-cooler discussion ===== Alternative forms ===== water-cooler, watercooler ==== See also ==== barroom cracker-barrel water cooler talk ==== Further reading ==== “water cooler gossip” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman. === Etymology 3 === A category of cooling device. ==== Noun ==== water cooler (plural water coolers) A type of cooling device that uses water as the heat transfer medium.