Where did the word "peeping tom" come from?

Question

I AGREE RACHEL IS RETARDED

Answer 1

Godiva (or Godgifu) (c. 990? – September 10, 1067) was an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who, according to legend, rode naked through the streets of Coventry in England in order to gain a remission of the oppressive toll imposed by her husband on his tenants.

The legend :
According to the popular story, the beautiful Lady Godiva took pity on the people of Coventry, who were suffering grievously under her husband's oppressive taxation. Lady Godiva appealed again and again to her husband, who obstinately refused to remit the tolls. At last, weary of her entreaties, he said he would grant her request if she would ride naked through the streets of the town. Lady Godiva took him at his word and, after issuing a proclamation that all persons should keep within doors or shut their windows, she rode through, clothed only in her long hair. Only one person in the town, a tailor ever afterwards known as Peeping Tom, disobeyed her proclamation in the first instance of voyeurism.[11] In the story, Tom bores a hole in his shutters so that he might see Godiva pass, and is struck blind.[12] In the end, Godiva's husband keeps his word and abolishes the onerous taxes.

The oldest form of the legend has Godiva passing through Coventry market from one end to the other while the people were assembled, attended only by two knights.[13] This version is given in Flores Historiarum by Roger of Wendover (died 1236), a somewhat gullible collector of anecdotes, who quoted from an earlier writer. The still later story, with its episode of "Peeping Tom", appeared first among 17th century chroniclers.

At the time, it was customary for penitents to make a public procession in only their shift — a sleeveless white garment similar to a slip today and one which was certainly considered "underwear". Thus, scholars speculate, Godiva may have actually traveled through town as a penitent, humiliated in her shift. Godiva's story may have passed into folk history to be recorded in a romanticized version.

Another theory has it that Lady Godiva's "nakedness" may refer to her riding through the streets stripped of her jewelery, the trademark of her upper class rank. However, there is no trace of the story in sources contemporary with Godiva. Thus, it remains doubtful as to whether there is any historical basis for the famous ride.

Like the story of Peeping Tom, the claim that Godiva's long hair effectively hid her from sight is generally believed to have been a later addition (Compare Rapunzel). Certain other thematic elements are familiar in myth and fable: the resistant Lord (Esther and Ahasuerus), the exacted promise, the stringent condition and the test of chastity. Even if Peeping Tom is a late addition, his being struck blind demonstrates the closely knit themes of the violated mystery and the punished intruder.

Popular culture:
The Godiva procession — a commemoration of the legendary ride instituted on May 31, 1678, as part of Coventry fair — was celebrated at intervals until 1826. From 1848 to 1887, it was revived and continued into the 21st century.

The wooden effigy of Peeping Tom which, since 1812, has looked out on the world from a house at the northwest corner of Hertford Street, Coventry, represents a man in armour and was probably an image of Saint George. It was removed from another part of the town to its present position.

From the mid 1980s a Coventry resident, Pru Porretta, has adopted a Lady Godiva role to promote community events and good works in the city. In 1999 Coventry councillors considered eliminating Poretta's character from the city's public identity.[14] As of 2005, Porretta retains the status of Coventry's unofficial ambassador.

Godiva was immortalized anew in the poem Godiva by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

Answer 2

The name comes from the legend of Lady Godiva's naked ride through the streets of Coventry, in order to persuade her husband to alleviate the harsh taxes on the town's poor. The story goes that the townsfolk agreed not to observe Godiva as she passed by, but that Peeping Tom broke that trust and spied on her.
The name 'Peeping Tom' is first recorded in the Coventry city accounts in 1773, recording a new wig and paint for the effigy of Tom the Tailor (which clearly must have existed for some time prior to that).

The first record that alludes to his dubious habits is in Grose's 'Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, 1796:

"Peeping Tom, a nick name for a curious prying fellow."

Answer 3

Good question! Must have been a man by the name of Tom Peeping in someones window.

Answer 4

The Lady Godiva story is the one that I've always heard. Tom peeked at Lady Godiva when she rode through the town, even though she asked the townspeople not to look at her nudity. Everyone else complied since she was doing the ride to help the townspeople.

Answer 5

compelled under Carnal expertise. An acronym. it extremely is one thought. It is clever, yet who's conscious if early English law enforcement officers extremely used that word for situations of rape? I seldom say it except I hit my thumb with a hammer after which that guttural tense 'ok' sounding be conscious seems to be the best epithet for the 2d.

Answer 6

Came from the cop's who used to call in the Toms they also call the guys picking up hookers Johns.

Answer 7

well you see my name is tom right, then one day i fell throught this chicks window. then some cops came and etc etc

Btw rachel is a freaking retard.

Answer 8

i would think from a tom cat on the window sill?? "He looks like a peeping tom(cat) looking through that window." it may not have always been a derrogatory phrase.

Answer 9

it used to be "peeing tom" this guy named tom would pee outside your window....but once while he was peeing he happened to see something he liked...A LOT!!! so he decided to change career paths and be a "peeping tom" instead...and then something happened to him when he was peeping....it REALLY felt good!!!!!! so guess what? another change...but damned i can't remember what he calls himself now..

Answer 10

i think it was that guy who lived next door to me when i was a kid his name was tom. look on google search to be serious