more gapers

[Fred Shapiro]

On Sat, 9 Sep 2000, Bernard W. Kane wrote:

> Checked files: earliest I found was from traffic anncr on WFLN-FM
> Philadelphia on 12 August 1991
> next, visual on KYW-TV Philadelphia 30 March 1992
> Gaper Delay West on I-76

The earliest citation I can find in a few seconds of research is the
following:

1982 William Safire in _N.Y. Times_ 28 Feb. (Nexis)  A person whose
curiosity causes him to slow traffic is called a rubber-necker in Texas, a
gonker in Detroit and a lookie-lou in L.A.  Such obstructive gaping is
called gaper's block in Denver.

Fred Shapiro


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Fred R. Shapiro                             Editor
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