Etymology

navel-gazing

na·vel-gaz·ing

Today it means: The contemplation of one's navel as an aid to meditation. Full definition →

First used 1950sAncient Greek ὀμφαλοσκοπία
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The story

  1. Ancient Greek · calque ofὀμφαλοσκοπία
  2. English todaynavel-gazing

Calque of Ancient Greek ὀμφαλοσκοπία (omphaloskopía). By surface analysis, navel + gazing.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 1950s An excessive focus on oneself; self-indulgent introspection.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.