Bystander
/ˈbaɪˌstæn.dər/noun
A person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part.
Did you know?“Bystander” began as someone who literally stood nearby, and only later became a loaded word for the person who witnesses harm without intervening.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
bīstandan
“to stand by, remain near”
Middle English
ME
bystander
“one who stands by or near”
16th Century
English
bystander
“a person present as an observer”
19th Century
English
bystander effect
“the tendency for individuals to be less likely to help when others are present”
Modern English
English
bystander
“a person who witnesses an event without participating”
Explore more surprising origins