Busybody

An early study of the type was made by the ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus in his typology, Characters, "In the proffered services of the busybody there is much of the affectation of kind-heartedness, and little efficient aid.

"[1][2][3][4] Susanna Centlivre wrote a successful play, The Busie Body, which was first performed in 1709 and has been revived repeatedly since.

[5][6] In English law, the doctrine of locus standi requires a plaintiff to have some connection with the matter being contested.

[9] The "officious bystander" is a metaphorical character in English law, used to determine the implied terms of a contract.

The root word is Greek, περίεργος (periergos), which may also be translated as a worker of magic or witch.