Rubbernecker: meaning, definitions and examples

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rubbernecker

 

[ หˆrสŒbษ™rหŒnษ›kษ™r ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

curiosity, accidents

A rubbernecker is a person who stares at something (often an accident or a spectacle) out of curiosity, usually causing traffic delays or distractions. The term reflects the tendency to stretch one's neck in order to get a better view of something unusual.

Synonyms

bystander, gawker, onlooker

Examples of usage

  • The rubberneckers slowed down traffic as they gawked at the scene of the accident.
  • During the parade, many rubberneckers crowded the sidewalks to watch the floats.
  • Rubberneckers often stop in the middle of the road to take pictures of car crashes.

Translations

Translations of the word "rubbernecker" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น curioso

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเค‚เคตเฅ‡เคฆเคจเคถเฅ€เคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Gaffer

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pengamat

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั†ั–ะบะฐะฒะฐ ะพัะพะฑะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ciekawski

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ดใƒ ใƒใƒƒใ‚ซใƒผ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท curieux

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ curioso

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท meraklฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ˜ธ๊ธฐ์‹ฌ ๋งŽ์€ ์‚ฌ๋žŒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูุถูˆู„ูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zvฤ›davรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zvedavรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฅฝๅฅ‡่€…

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ radoveden

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ forvitinn

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ั‹ะทั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒ˜แƒœแƒขแƒ”แƒ แƒ”แƒกแƒ”แƒ‘แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ maraqlฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ curioso

Etymology

The term 'rubbernecker' originated in the United States in the late 19th century, derived from the words 'rubber' and 'neck.' The 'rubber' part suggests the bending and stretching quality of rubber, symbolizing how a person's neck might strain as they lean to get a better look at something interesting or out of the ordinary. The idea traces back to an earlier metaphor where the act of twisting oneโ€™s neck resembles the flexibility of rubber. Initially associated with the behavior of tourists or sightseers looking at points of interest, the term later gained a negative connotation, particularly in the context of people causing disturbances on roads by slowing down to observe accidents. In modern usage, 'rubbernecker' can imply a lack of consideration for others while indulging one's own curiosity.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #43,511, 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.