quidnunc

/ˌkwɪdˌˈnʌŋk/

/ˈkwɪdnʊnk/

Other forms: quidnuncs

If you love to spread the latest gossip, you're a quidnunc. The neighborhood quidnunc is the person who seems to always know everyone's business.

Quidnunc is archaic — it's hardly ever used these days. It's too bad, because it's a fun way to describe a busybody or rumormonger. You can call your nosy friend a quidnunc, or tell your dad, "Don't be such a quidnunc!" when he snoops in your room. Quidnunc was coined in the 1700s, combining the Latin words quid, "what," and nunc, "now," and mimicking someone who might constantly ask, "What's happening now?" or "What's the news?"

Definitions of quidnunc

1. noun

   a person who meddles in the affairs of others
   synonyms: busybody, nosey-parker, nosy-parker

   type of:

   meddler

   an officious annoying person who interferes with others