quidnunc

Definition

A person eager to learn news and scandal.

Etymology

From Latin quid nunc? (“what now?”).

Example Sentences

• "The College Sloven, or embroidered Spark, The purple Prelate, or the parish Clerk, The quiet Quidnunc, or demanding Prig, The plaintiff Tory, or defendant Whig;"
• "We all did our duty, which, in the patriot's, soldier's, and gentleman's language, is a very comprehensive word, of great honour, meaning, and import, and of which the generality of idle quidnuncs and coffee-house politicians can hardly form any but a very mean and contemptible idea."
• "[…] but still something was necessary to convince the community at large, to quiet those praying quidnuncs who should come after them--in short, the world must be satisfied."