Gossiping fool with zero vitality (9)

I believe the answer is:

shmoozing

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'gossiping' is the definition.
(shmoozing is a kind of gossiping)

'fool with zero vitality' is the wordplay.
'fool with' becomes 'shmo' (I am not sure about the 'with' bit.**).
'zero' becomes 'o'.
'vitality' becomes 'zing' (I've seen this before).
'shmo'+'o'+'zing'='SHMOOZING'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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