Jalousie is a blind or shutter having adjustable horizontal slats for regulating the passage of air and light. 'Jalousie' is French for 'jealousy', which is where the word comes from. But why is it called this?
http://www.answers.com/topic/jalousie-5
2007-01-03 20:56:38 · 3 answers · asked by John 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
jalousie
1766, from Fr., lit. "jealousy," from notion of looking through blinds without being seen.
Good Luck!!!
2007-01-03 21:04:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The word jalousie is a borrowing from French (probably ultimately of Italian origin), where it of course means 'jealousy', after the fact that these blinds allow a person inside to look out, but keep the looker hidden.
2007-01-04 05:08:10 · answer #2 · answered by Basement Bob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While the jalousie admits air, it does not admit vision. Whatever was happening behind the jalousie was invisible to the jealous husband/wife.
2007-01-04 05:05:07 · answer #3 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋