Nancy Reagan gaze

English

Nancy Reagan observes Ronald Reagan being sworn in for a second term, 1985

Etymology

From the attentive look Nancy Reagan was noted for fixing on her husband, Ronald Reagan, U.S. President from 1981 to 1989, when he made public appearances.

Noun

Nancy Reagan gaze (plural Nancy Reagan gazes)

1. A transfixed look upon a person taken as showing absolute devotion or affection.
   • 1989, Margaret Carlson, "I'M Nobody, Who Are You?", Time, May 8, 1989, ISSN 0040-781X:

     Pat Nixon held the title for most stoic [Washington] wife until Maureen Dean gave an Oscar-winning performance during her husband's Watergate testimony, sitting primly behind him, blond hair pulled back, holding the Nancy Reagan gaze before there was a Nancy Reagan gaze.

   • 1992, Laureen Hobbs, "The Industry & The Webs", Spy, December 1992/January 1993 p. 18 ISSN 0890-1759:

     Peter Chernin, the head Fox TV programmer, [...] will titularly replace Roth and serve as Murdoch's malleable functionary. He looks at his boss with a sort of adoring Nancy Reagan gaze.

   • 2011 February 12, Miriam Lord, “Hard to keep up the Nancy Reagan gaze when a rugby hero undresses”, in The Irish Times:

     Joan’s attention appeared to be wandering from her leader. Instead of fixing him with the requisite Nancy Reagan gaze, she kept sneaking glances out the window.

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:Nancy Reagan gaze.