Rubbernecked: meaning, definitions and examples
👀
rubbernecked
[ ˈrʌbərˌnɛk ]
informal usage
To rubberneck means to turn one's head in order to look at something that is often out of the ordinary or noteworthy, such as an accident or an unusual event. It is commonly used to describe the act of slowing down or stopping in traffic to gaze at a scene, particularly when it is inappropriate to do so. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is nosy or intrusive about someone else's business. The behavior is often criticized for its potential to cause delays or distractions.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The drivers were rubbernecking at the accident scene.
- She couldn't help but rubberneck when she saw the commotion.
- Rubbernecking often leads to traffic jams.
- People tend to rubberneck during parades.
Translations
Translations of the word "rubbernecked" in other languages:
🇵🇹 pessoa que observa algo com curiosidade
🇮🇳 जिज्ञासु व्यक्ति
🇩🇪 Neugieriger
🇮🇩 orang yang mengintip
🇺🇦 людина, яка з цікавістю спостерігає
🇵🇱 ciekawski
🇯🇵 好奇心の強い人
🇫🇷 curieux
🇪🇸 persona curiosa
🇹🇷 meraklı
🇰🇷 호기심 많은 사람
🇸🇦 شخص فضولي
🇨🇿 zvědavý člověk
🇸🇰 zvedavý človek
🇨🇳 好奇的人
🇸🇮 radovedna oseba
🇮🇸 forvitinn maður
🇰🇿 қызығушылығы бар адам
🇬🇪 კურიოზული ადამიანი
🇦🇿 maraqlı insan
🇲🇽 persona curiosa
Etymology
The term 'rubberneck' originated in the early 20th century and is derived from the combination of the word 'rubber', which is known for its flexibility, and 'neck', referring to the physical part of the body that is capable of turning. The concept relates to the way people stretch their necks like rubber when trying to peer at something of interest. Originally used in the context of viewing roadside spectacles, the term gained popularity during the 1920s and has since been employed more broadly to describe the behavior of being overly curious about situations that do not concern one. It reflects a tendency in human nature to be intrigued by the misfortunes or unusual occurrences happening around us, even at the expense of others' well-being or safety.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #43,366, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.