by Written by Alonzo Kittrelshttp://www.phillytrib.com/ The Philadelphia Tribune
There is little question that there was at least one, but there might have been two, three, or even four. I’m talking about small old women who would usually sit in windows on the second level and watch what was going on in their communities. But some carried out their mission while sitting on their porches or stoops. Every effort was taken by the experienced observers to find and position themselves in windows with a front glass and two side glass panes, usually slanted outward. These windows, also known as bay or bow windows, formed an alcove or nook inside the room by extending outward from the building. These windows gave these elderly women a broader perspective of what was going on in the area. Who is the subject of this column and who sat in windows or other prominent locations? Back in the day, practically everyone in the area knew this notorious busybody by that name.
If you haven’t heard of the busybody, allow me to share some useful facts. Merriam-Webster defines a busybody as someone who is overly preoccupied with other people’s personal affairs. Additionally, it characterizes a busybody as someone who interferes in other people’s issues. A busybody is basically someone who meddles in other people’s affairs, usually out of curiosity or nosiness. This individual is distinguished by their propensity to intrude into other people’s lives and provide unsolicited advice or views. Additionally, busybodies care more about other people’s lives than their own, according to Webster. This curiosity about other people’s lives might occasionally result in gossip or the dissemination of potentially dangerous information. In conclusion, the term “busybody” is typically used to characterize someone who is deemed bothersome or invasive.
