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nosey-parker

nosey-parker

9.1
A person who tries to find out what other people are doing when it does not concern them
  • noun
  • /ˈnoʊzi ˈpɑrkər/
  • UK
translation icon : entrometido
  • My neighbor is such a nosey-parker, always asking questions about my visitors.

Examples

  • The office nosey-parker couldn't help but pry into everyone's business.

  • Don't be a nosey-parker and let them handle their problems themselves.

  • Don't be such a nosey-parker!

  • My neighbor is a real nosey-parker who always wants to know my business.

  • My neighbor is such a nosey-parker, always asking questions about my visitors.

  • The office nosey-parker couldn't help but pry into everyone's business.

  • Don't be a nosey-parker and let them handle their problems themselves.

Synonyms

snoop
vsnosey-parker
26 7.4

A person who secretly looks for other people's private information

is about being too interested and trying to discover things, not only secret search
busybody
vsnosey-parker
  • Offensive
16 7.1

A person who asks too many questions about other people's private lives

focuses on finding out unknown matters about others rather than general meddling
snooper
vsnosey-parker
3 7.4

A person who secretly tries to find out about other people's private things

is about being overly interested and attempting discovery without necessarily being secretive
noser
vsnosey-parker
  • Offensive
2 8.9

A person who wants to know about other people's private lives

actively attempts to find out things about others rather than just be curious
nosy-parker
vsnosey-parker
  • Offensive
1 8.3

A person who asks too many private questions about others

tries to uncover matters that do not concern them rather than just interfere
nosey parker
vsnosey-parker
  • UK
1 8.2

A person who is too interested in other people's private matters

tries to discover things not involving them rather than only watch
quidnunc
vsnosey-parker
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A person who tries to find out and spread gossip about other people's business

is focused on uncovering personal matters rather than following news or gossip

How Nosey

snoop
26 7.4
peeper
  • NSFW
4 9.3
busybody
  • Offensive
16 7.1
nosey-parker
  • UK
9.1

Surface Forms

nosey-parker singular
nosey-parkers plural

Morphology

nosey-parker = nosey + Parker (semi-transparent) = nosey + parker

The meaning is predictable from 'nosey' (prying), but the use of a surname 'Parker' as a labelling element is idiosyncratic and non-productive, so the compound is not fully regular.

Etymology

The word nosey-parker combines nosey (from nose, 'to poke or pry') and the common name Parker. One popular way to remember it is to imagine a Mr Parker who 'sticks his nose' into other people's business, so a nosey-parker is someone who is too interested in what others do.