Rubbernecking
Meaning: Slowing down to stare at an accident, construction, or anything unusual on the road.
Rubbernecking is the universal human urge to gawk at something interesting on the side of the road, and it's a major cause of traffic jams. The term can also apply to staring at anything — a celebrity, a fight, or a dramatic scene. Everyone hates rubberneckers, but almost everyone is one.
Examples
- Traffic is backed up for miles because everyone's rubbernecking at the accident. 所有人都在围观事故,导致堵车堵了好几英里。El tráfico está atascado durante kilómetros porque todo el mundo está mirando boquiabierto el accidente.みんなが事故を見物しようと減速するから、何マイルも渋滞してる。다들 사고를 구경하느라 속도를 줄여서 몇 마일이나 밀리고 있어.
- Stop rubbernecking and keep your eyes on the road! 别看热闹了,好好看路!¡Deja de mirar y mantén la vista en la carretera!見物するのはやめて、前を見て運転しろ!구경하지 말고 전방 주시해!
- The construction site caused a rubbernecking delay on the interstate. 施工现场导致州际公路上出现了围观堵车。La obra provocó un atasco de curiosos en la autopista.工事現場のせいで、州間高速道路で見物渋滞が起きてる。공사 현장 때문에 고속도로에서 구경 정체가 생겼다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: driving, traffic, curiosity
Tone: annoyed, critical
✓ Do Say
- The rubberneckers are causing a backup on I-95.围观的人导致I-95公路大堵车。Los mirones están causando un atasco en la autopista.見物渋滞のせいでI-95が大渋滞だ。구경꾼들 때문에 I-95에서 정체가 생기고 있어.
- Quit rubbernecking!别看热闹了!¡Deja de curiosear!見物するのはやめろ!구경 좀 그만해!
✗ Don't Say
- Don't use when someone has a legitimate reason to slow down, like debris in the road不要在别人有正当理由减速时使用,比如路上有碎片No lo uses cuando alguien tiene una razón legítima para reducir la velocidad, como escombros en la carretera道路上の障害物など、減速する正当な理由がある場合には使わない도로 위 잔해물 등 정당한 이유로 속도를 줄이는 경우에는 쓰지 말 것
Origin & History
American English from the early 1900s. The image is of someone craning and stretching their neck — as if it were made of rubber — to get a better look at something.
Cultural Context
Era: Early 20th century
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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