rubberneck

[ ruhb-er-nek ]

verb (used without object)

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

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

/ ˈrʌbəˌnɛk /

noun

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

verb

1. intr to stare in a naive or foolish manner

Word History and Origins

Origin of rubberneck¹

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

Example Sentences

The most popular slang expression of the day is "to rubberneck," or, more concisely, "to rubber."

From Project Gutenberg

Women ought to have everything they own fastened to them with rubberneck elastics.

From Project Gutenberg

A detective saw you on the Rubberneck up at Central Park and 'phoned down to take you in.

From Project Gutenberg

And now in the broad, quiet avenue in front of the Rubberneck car a man in dark clothes stood with uplifted hand.

From Project Gutenberg

To show general scorn, the bird revolved on one claw round and round his swing; he looked dangerous, repeating, "Rubberneck."

From Project Gutenberg