rubbernecking
Slowing to stare
Rubbernecking is craning your neck to stare at something, especially an accident or disturbance.
The image is of a neck so flexible it might be made of rubber, stretching to get a better look.
Traffic slows when drivers rubberneck at crashes on the opposite side of the highway.
The term can extend to any nosy gawking: Quit rubbernecking and mind your own business.
Reduction in pace
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
jam · tailback · snarl-up · crawling · delay · accident · collision · wreck
Gazing without break
- gapingWide open, agape
- oglingStaring with desire
- gogglingStaring with protruding eyes
- peeringStudying something with concentration
craning · eyeballing · watching · observing · gawping · leering · glancing · fixating
Habit of prying
- pryingIntrusively inquisitive
- snoopingSecretly investigating others
- inquisitivenessEager desire to learn
- fascinationIntense absorbed interest
intrigue · morbid curiosity · voyeurism · busybodying · peeping · eavesdropping · nosy parker · spectator
Visitor viewing attractions
- touristTraveler visiting attractions
- gawkerOne who stares rudely
- bus tourGuided group travel
- landmarkNotable point of reference
attraction · scenic · paparazzi · crowd · spectacle · street performer · procession · parade
slowdown
Reduction in pace
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
gridlock · jam · tailback · snarl-up · crawling · delay · accident · collision · wreck · crash site
staring
Gazing without break
peering · craning · eyeballing · watching · observing · gawping · leering · glancing · fixating · double-take
nosiness
Habit of prying
- pryingIntrusively inquisitive
- snoopingSecretly investigating others
- inquisitivenessEager desire to learn
fascination · intrigue · morbid curiosity · voyeurism · busybodying · peeping · eavesdropping · nosy parker · spectator · onlooker
sightseer
Visitor viewing attractions
landmark · attraction · scenic · paparazzi · crowd · spectacle · street performer · procession · parade · commotion
- driving hazardspotholes, black ice, debris, road debris, icy roads
- driving slangfloor it, gun it, pedal to the metal, pedal to metal, peel out
- traffic incidentsaccident, collision, car crash, pileup, fender bender
- viewinggazing, staring, peering, observing, glancing
- drivingdrive, steering, driver, acceleration, motorist
- perceptionsee, vision, seeing, senses, observing
rubberneckinglooking away
Directing eyes elsewhere
ignoring · disregarding · indifference · apathy · discretion
rubberneckingconcentrating
Directing mental effort narrowly
focusing · paying attention · single-mindedness · tunnel vision · attentiveness
rubberneckingdiscretion
Careful judgment in speech
tact · politeness · looking the other way · reserve · decorum
rubber, necking, gawking, rubberneck, rubbernecker, rubberneckers, spectating, rubbernecked, rubbernecks