nosy parker
C1Informal, mildly pejorative
Definition
Meaning
A person who is excessively curious about the affairs of others.
Someone who meddles in or snoops into things that are not their concern; a busybody.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Usually a noun, occasionally used attributively as an adjective. The term implies unwelcome intrusion. While critical, it often carries a tone of humorous annoyance rather than deep hostility.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and established in British English; used but less frequent in American English, where 'busybody' is often preferred.
Connotations
In the UK, it's a well-known, slightly old-fashioned idiom. In the US, it may sound quaint or distinctly British to some speakers.
Frequency
High frequency in UK informal speech; medium-low frequency in US, understood but not a first-choice term.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to be a nosy parkerstop + being a nosy parkerlike a nosy parkerVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Keep your nose out of it, you nosy parker!”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly used humorously about a colleague who reads others' emails over their shoulder.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation to describe an overly inquisitive neighbour or relative.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He's always nosy-parkering about the street.
American English
- Stop nosy-parkering into my personal life!
adverb
British English
- He looked at the letter nosy-parkeringly.
American English
- She asked nosy-parkeringly about my salary.
adjective
British English
- She has a nosy-parker neighbour.
American English
- I got a nosy-parker question from my aunt.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My neighbour is a nosy parker.
- Don't be such a nosy parker; it's private.
- The local gossip is a notorious nosy parker, always asking personal questions.
- Journalists are often accused of being nosy parkers, but sometimes their intrusiveness uncovers vital truths.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person named Parker, always parking their nose into other people's business.
Conceptual Metaphor
CURIOSITY IS PHYSICAL INTRUSION (poking one's nose in).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation. Not related to 'парк' (park). The equivalent is 'любопытная Варвара' or 'совать нос не в своё дело'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'nosey' (variant spelling) in formal writing.
- Capitalising 'Parker' as if it were always a name.
- Using it as a standard adjective (*'He is very nosy parker').
Practice
Quiz
Which situation best describes a 'nosy parker'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The etymology is uncertain. It likely combines 'nosy' (prying) with 'Parker', a common surname, perhaps popularised by a specific person or cartoon character. It is not considered a fabrication; it's a genuine, if opaque, idiom.
It is mildly pejorative but often used in a humorous or lightly scolding way. It's less harsh than 'snoop' or 'meddler'.
Yes, informally, in an attributive position (e.g., 'nosy-parker behaviour'), though the primary use is as a noun.
'Nosy' is a general adjective meaning overly curious. 'Nosy parker' is a noun phrase labeling a person who habitually acts that way. Calling someone a 'nosy parker' is more specific and idiomatic than just calling them 'nosy'.