lurk

[lurk] /lɜrk/
verb (used without object)
1.
to lie or wait in concealment, as a person in ambush; remain in or around a place secretly or furtively.
2.
to go furtively; slink; steal.
3.
to exist unperceived or unsuspected.
4.
Chiefly Computers. to read or observe an ongoing discussion without participating in it, as in an Internet newsgroup.
noun, Australian Informal.
5.
an underhand scheme; dodge.
6.
an easy, somewhat lazy or unethical way of earning a living, performing a task, etc.
7.
a hideout.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English lurken, frequentative of lower2; compare Norwegian lurka to sneak away
Related forms
lurker, noun
lurkingly, adverb
unlurking, adjective
Synonyms
1. Lurk, skulk, sneak, prowl suggest avoiding observation, often because of a sinister purpose. To lurk is to lie in wait for someone or to hide about a place, often without motion, for periods of time. Skulk suggests cowardliness and stealth of movement. Sneak emphasizes the attempt to avoid being seen. It has connotations of slinking and of an abject meanness of manner, whether there exists a sinister intent or the desire to avoid punishment for some misdeed. Prowl implies the definite purpose of seeking for prey; it suggests continuous action in roaming or wandering, slowly and quietly but watchfully, as a cat that is hunting mice.
British Dictionary definitions for lurker

lurk

/lɜːk/
verb (intransitive)
1.
to move stealthily or be concealed, esp for evil purposes
2.
to be present in an unobtrusive way; go unnoticed
3.
to read messages posted on an electronic network without contributing messages oneself
noun
4.
(Austral & NZ, slang) a scheme or stratagem for success
Derived Forms
lurker, noun
Word Origin
C13: probably frequentative of lour; compare Middle Dutch loeren to lie in wait
Word Origin and History for lurker
n.

"one who lurks," early 14c., agent noun from lurk (v.).

lurk

v.

c.1300, lurken "to hide, lie hidden," probably from Scandinavian (cf. dialectal Norwegian lurka "to sneak away," dialectal Swedish lurka "to be slow in one's work"), perhaps ultimately related to Middle English luren "to frown, lurk" (see lower (v.2)). Related: Lurked; lurking.

Slang definitions & phrases for lurker

lurker

noun
  1. A person who ''lurks'': according to David Brooks, a pro-gun control lurker/ You just sneak around and listen without revealing your presence, thus becoming what internauts pejoratively call a lurker (1990s+ Computer)
  2. A person who enters a computer system illegally; an uninvited computer eavesdropper: Ian had found a lurker in the system (1970s+ Computer)

lurk

verb
  1. To ride about looking for sex partners; cruise: Me and the boys are going lurken' tonight to pick up some foxy broads (1960s+ Black)
  2. : Lurk: To log onto a bulletin board and read the discussion without participating or making your presence known (1990s+ Computer)

lurker in Technology


lurking