What is the difference between tattling and telling?

Answer 1

Tattling is more gossip than the truth, and telling is like it is, you already know the truth and tattling could be fabricated

-- or --

Tattling is about trivial matters, and generally those that don't actually concern the tattler.

Telling is about more important things. And usually the teller is somehow involved in what is being told - often as a victim

-- further --

I disagree To tattle comes from Dutch origins and means to gossip. Telling means exactly that to tell the truth.If you look at Chambers Dictionary it says to tell is to relate to command or instruct to express in words to make known or give away, to assure, to influence in other words to tell the truth, to tell does not make you a victim. You can also use it as an exclamation "you're telling me " which can mean you agree .