Judas window

n. an aperture or glass pane that permits safe or surreptitious observation through a door or wall. Subjects: English

Editorial Note: This is a variation on Judas hole, Judas trap, or just Judas.

Comments? | Cites | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Citations: 1874 New York Times (Aug. 23) “Through a Judas Window” p. 2: In addition to a door of communication, there was a contrivance for the effectual protection of privacy, consistiing of a sheet of glass in a hinged frame let into the wall…By means of this honestly-avowed peephole, he could at all times command a view off the outer office.…I could see through the Judas window in the wall, which I have described, but without moving from their respective places they could not see me. 1949 Virginia Teale Sedalia Democrat (Mo.) (Nov. 1) “The Cameo” p. 2: A small Judas window in the top section of the door was opened cautiously. 1954 Nevada State Journal (Reno) (July 2) “Estate Repayment Ordered by Court” (in San Francisco): This was about three months after Belote, admittedly her lover, was convicted of killing Allen B. Friedman by shooting him through the Judas window of the front door of his home. 1985 Stanton Delaplane San Francisco Chronicle (Jan. 24) “Chicken Soup In The Medical Bag” p. 55: I went over to the school and peeked at him through the classroom judas window. He wasn’t over-active. 2005 Hugh Reilly Scotsman (Glasgow, Scotland) (Mar. 9) “Yes, head boys must have the latest toys”: Classroom surveillance is nothing new. Most classroom doors have a glass section—a Judas window in chalkie parlance—allowing management to surreptitiously spy on Sir’s lesson.

Posted 9 Mar 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend