A blind item is a type of news story, especially common in gossip columns, that reports details about an event or scandal but deliberately does not reveal the identities of the people involved. Instead of naming names, it uses vague or coded descriptions to invite readers to speculate about who the story might concern

. The concept originated in the 19th century with publisher William d'Alton Mann, who used blind items sometimes for blackmail

. Today, blind items are popular in celebrity gossip, often shared on websites and social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. They typically provide insider or rumored information about celebrities while avoiding legal risks by withholding direct identification

. Blind items have a mixed reputation: some see them as entertaining and a way to discuss celebrity culture, while others criticize them as unverified rumors or even damaging gossip akin to conspiracy theories. Despite this, many blind items often spark public speculation and sometimes turn out to be true

. In summary, a blind item is a gossip story that shares juicy details without naming the individuals involved, encouraging readers to guess the subjects while protecting the source and publisher from legal issues