I don't frequent places where I could be tortured easily but I am familiar with the term.

Some peeps have nothing better to do than slither in the shadows and try to find a tidbit of information then twist in a way that pleases them.

Reminds me of the song....You're so vain" when the song wasn't even about the person.

If I remember correctly quite a few people were killed in Salem a few years back in the "Witch trials" over gossipy women slithering in the background and spying on others.

Thankfully we have come a long ways since then.