Nosy parker

[Somebody17]

Where did that phrase originally come from?

[Ethel]

I always thought it came from 11th century Coventry, when Lady Godiva rode naked through the town in protest at the taxes imposed on the citizens.

Her husband Leofric, Earl of Mercia and the most powerful man in the town, ordered that nobody should look - but Tom Parker did!

[jno]

I think that was Peeping Tom, Ethel.

Here's one explanation: http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-nos2.htm

[naz_nomad]

Lady Penelopes chauffeur