To stare with your mouth open, often in surprise or wonder.
From Middle English gapen, possibly related to Old Norse gapa meaning 'to yawn' or 'gape.' The 'w' insertion is characteristic of English dialect development. The word evolved to mean specifically staring stupidly or in amazement.
This word is primarily British slang, and it's a perfect example of how English accents change pronunciation—gawp uses the 'aw' sound that's distinctive to many British dialects, while Americans would say 'gape.' The word captures a specific kind of dumb staring that's more expressive than just 'looking.'
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