more gapers

[Douglas G. Wilson]

At 04:51 PM 9/11/00 -0400, you wrote:
><<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>>
>
>
>No one has mentioned "gawking" and "gawkers" in this discussion. That's how
>I've always referred to it. Am I alone in this?

No.

In fact, I think Mr. Safire has erroneously transcribed 'gawker' as
'gonker' in the above quotation. Perhaps his source used an unusual
pronunciation.

I lived for many years in Detroit without hearing 'gonker'. And I can't
find a pertinent reference in a quick search now. (There are 'gonk' =
'lie', 'gonk' = 'conk', etc.)

'Gawker' is standard and usual.

-- Doug Wilson