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quidnunc

[kwid-nuhngk]
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noun
  1. a person who is eager to know the latest news and gossip; a gossip or busybody.
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Origin of quidnunc

First recorded in 1700–10, quidnunc is from the Latin word quid nunc what now?
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for quidnunc

Historical Examples

  • They call him Quidnunc—Mister Quidnunc, too, and don't you forget it.

    Lore of Proserpine

    Maurice Hewlett

  • I went my way home and to bed, but was not done with Quidnunc.

    Lore of Proserpine

    Maurice Hewlett

  • Quidnunc, kwid′nungk, n. one always on the lookout for news: one who pretends to know all occurrences.

  • If Quidnunc and Mrs. Ventris were not under our law, neither are the sun, moon and stars, neither are the apes and peacocks.

    Lore of Proserpine

    Maurice Hewlett

  • I have not personally come across any other cases where a male fairy took upon him the burden of a man than that of Quidnunc.

    Lore of Proserpine

    Maurice Hewlett

British Dictionary definitions for quidnunc

quidnunc

noun
  1. a person eager to learn news and scandal; gossipmonger
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Word Origin

C18: from Latin, literally: what now
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for quidnunc

n.

"gossip-monger," 1709, formed from Latin quid "what?" (neuter of interrogative pronoun quis "who?;" see who) and nunc "now" (see now), to describe someone forever asking "What's the news?"

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper