What it means
A nosy parker is someone who can’t leave other people’s business alone. They’re forever peeking, asking cheeky questions, and clocking things that had nothing to do with them in the first place. It’s usually said with irritation or a bit of a laugh, not for a villain, more for that curtain-twitching meddler who always wants the full story.
Usage examples
"Don’t tell the office nosy parker about the move, the whole building will know your new address by lunchtime."
"He is such a nosy parker that he reads the postcards on other people’s doormats before handing them over."
"The nosy parker from number 12 was out polishing her gate again, conveniently positioned to clock everyone’s comings and goings."
"You don’t tell Sharon anything private, she’s a right nosy parker and it’ll be round the estate before tea."
"Our neighbour’s such a nosy parker he knows who’s had a takeaway just by listening for the doorbell."
Where it comes from
Recorded in British English in the early 20th century, nosy parker builds on nosy, meaning too curious about other people's business. The Parker bit isn't pinned to one proven real person. It's widely treated as a comic surname tacked on to make the insult sound more vivid and character-like.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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