rubberneck

American  

[ruhb-er-nek] / ˈrʌb ərˌnɛk /

verb (used without object)

1. to look about or stare with great curiosity, as by craning the neck or turning the head.

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verb (used with object)

1. to gawk at.

   The tieup was due to drivers rubbernecking an accident.

noun

1. a sightseer; tourist.

2. an extremely curious person.

rubberneck British  

/ ˈrʌbəˌnɛk /

noun

1. a person who stares or gapes inquisitively, esp in a naive or foolish manner

2. a sightseer or tourist

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verb

1. (intr) to stare in a naive or foolish manner

Etymology

Origin of rubberneck

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; rubber ¹ + neck

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Explanation

The term rubberneck describes what you do when you can't help staring at something. People tend to rubberneck when they're passing a car accident on the highway. You might rubberneck at a waiter who drops a huge tray full of glasses. Tourists are sometimes accused of stopping to rubberneck at unfamiliar sights as well. Rubberneck was first used in 1897, from the idea that nosy or curious people turn their heads for a closer look as if their necks are made of rubber.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rubberneck

Some turned their heads as they passed by and stopped to briefly rubberneck before heading on their way.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 17, 2023

Instead of showing up to rubberneck the arraignment Tuesday, people should perhaps tend to more exigent problems of democracy, like resoling their pumps and checking the air pressure on their tires.

From Slate ● Apr. 3, 2023

Mildred’s imperfections rage on screen, compelling viewers to rubberneck as we do with most calamities.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 1, 2018

Pedestrians slowed down to rubberneck and then, anticipating the worst, went about their business so as not to be witnesses or innocent bystanders.

From Salon ● Dec. 5, 2015

"You know, the ones who rubberneck at car accidents."

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon

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