The phrase “what a little bird told me nyt” is an idiom suggesting the receipt of information from a secret or unknown source. The “nyt” portion specifies the context of this expression, pointing towards content published in The New York Times. The entire phrase operates as a noun phrase, essentially a subject or topic being discussed. For example, it could be the title of a column, a section heading, or a recurring theme within a series of articles in the publication.
The significance of such a construct lies in its ability to create intrigue and imply access to insider knowledge. Within The New York Times context, the appeal hinges on the newspaper’s reputation for investigative journalism and in-depth reporting. Utilizing this idiom may serve to draw readers in, suggesting they are about to receive information not readily available through conventional channels. Historically, the idiom itself is quite old, leveraging a traditional storytelling trope of birds as messengers or purveyors of secrets.
