SURVEILLANCE
NOUNS
1866 ► SCOUK → SKOOK shade, shadow; shelter, protection, surveillance → Sc.
1910 ► TAIL an act of surveillance → sl.
1910 ► TAIL JOB an act of surveillance → sl.
1933 ► OBBO → OBO surveillance; observation; a lookout → UK sl.
1933 ► OBBS → OBS surveillance; observation; a lookout → UK sl.
1942 ► STAKE-OUT a period of surveillance, esp. police → sl., orig. US
1984 ► NOSE an act of casual surveillance or inquisition → UK sl.
1984 ► NOSE AROUND an act of casual surveillance or inquisition → UK sl.
1984 ► NOSEY an act of casual surveillance or inquisition → UK sl.
NOUNS, PERSON
20C.. ► TAIL one who carries out a surveillance, esp. when following the target in the street → sl., orig. US
VERBS
1886 ► HAWK to watch closely; to keep under surveillance → Amer. dial.
1907 ► TAIL to follow, to keep under surveillance → sl.
1920 ► TAB to follow a person; to place someone under surveillance → sl.
1930 ► MARK SOMEONE’S CARD to watch someone; to place someone under surveillance; to pick someone out as a potential victim → sl.
1990 ► SIT OFF to place under surveillance; to stake out → Aust. criminals’ sl.
Lexicophilia 