jungle telegraph

plural jungle telegraphs

1. idiomaticA system used by primitive cultures in remote tropical regions for communication over long distances, such as drum sounds or a relay of runners.

   Working both sides of the stream, they got native chieftains to pass the word by jungle telegraph.

   1958 August 11, “Live Virus in the Jungle”, in Times

   Synonyms: bush telegraph

2. idiomaticA gossip network; an informal communication system within a group or organization.

   And the jungle telegraph at Bryant Park is alive with rumors that the show's biggest name, Lauren Conrad, will be here any day.

   2008, Lisa Marsh "‘Hills’ Under Tents," New York Post, 5 Feb. (retrieved 19 Sep. 2008)

   Synonyms: bush telegraph, grapevine, rumor mill