looky-loo

• lookie-lou
• lookie-loo

Reduplicative from look or a compound of look +‎ lew.

looky-loo (plural looky-loos)

1. (informal) One who looks or stares; a gawker; a nosy or overly inquisitive person.

   After the accident, I had to shoo away a bunch of looky-loos.

   • 2009, Stephen Prins, Save That Man (page 162)

     I looked away and cursed under my breath, waving angrily at some looky-loos who are slowing down and craning their necks to see their quota of other people's misery for the day.

2. (informal) A look at something; a glance; an opportunity to look around.

   I brought the inspector in for a looky-loo.

   As I walked by, I couldn't help but take a looky-loo.

3. (slang) A person who comes into a store and looks around but doesn't buy anything.

   I was busy all day, but barely made any commissions because I spent all my time with a couple looky-loos.