kõikivored

Kõikivored is a term used in Estonian folklore and sometimes in casual conversation to refer to individuals who are excessively inquisitive or prone to prying into others' affairs. The word itself is a compound of "kõik" meaning "all" or "everything" and "ivored" which is a less common word potentially related to "uurima" (to investigate) or "igav" (bored), suggesting someone who investigates everything or is bored and thus seeks to interfere.

The concept of the kõigivored is often portrayed humorously, depicting them as people who want to know every detail of a situation, even if it does not concern them. They might be characterized as asking many questions, eavesdropping, or generally being overly interested in gossip. While not usually malicious, their behavior can be perceived as intrusive or annoying by those around them.

In Estonian cultural contexts, the kõigivored serves as a cautionary figure, implicitly encouraging discretion and respect for personal privacy. It is a way to describe a type of personality that is universally understood, the person who simply cannot resist finding out what is going on. The term is generally informal and used in everyday language rather than in academic or formal writings.