I heard someone referred to as a "Nosey Parker" today. Now Parker Poser I've heard of, but not Nosey Parker. Of course I looked it up, and being "nosey" as intrusively curious dates to about 1880. Nosey Parker appears around 1907, and may be attributed to an expo at Hyde Park (park workers being nosey) or perhaps it was an evolution of nose-poker, one who pokes their nose in other people's business. The latter sounds more like to me, but the expression must be regional or rare as I have never come across it before.
But it did get me to thinking about the other name-centric, adjective+name expressions we have for people, and their etymology. Most name calling names are merely alliterative, such as the Nervous Nelly, but some have historical or literary origins, such as the Peeping Tom.
Off the top of my head I thought of:
Nervous Nelly
Peeping Tom
Doubting Thomas
Chatty Cathy
Gloomy Gus
Debbie Downer
Sad Sack
Goody Two Shoes
Good Charlotte
Jolly Roger (okay, that one doesn't count)
What are some others?
And don't give me any of that Cuddles McCuddleheimer business.
2 comments:
Wilting "Violet" I know I know
(Dave O)
There is also the Shrinking Violet.
Or in my case, the Shrieking Violet.
Post a Comment