What are the origins of the phrase, 'eaves dropping'?

Question

It had recently occured to me that the phrase seems a bit odd. It describes someone that is listening in on a conversation that they are not involved in. What are the roots/origins of the phrase did our forefathers sit ontop of peoples houses to listen in people talking near they're bedroom windor or something?

Answer 1

The origin of the term comes from situations in which people would literally hide out in the eavesdrop of a house to listen in on private conversations.

History

Eavesdropping was already prohibited by ancient Anglo-Saxon law. From the Saxon custom arose the term eavesdropping, as being one who pries into the business of others or listens to private conversations. By common law, an eavesdropper was regarded as a nuisance. The offense was punishable by fine.
The eavesdrop or eavesdrip is the width of ground around a house or building which receives the rain water dropping from the eaves. By an ancient Anglo-Saxon law, a landowner was forbidden to erect any building at less than 2 feet from the boundary of his land, and was thus prevented from injuring his neighbors house or property by the dripping of water from his eaves. The law of Eavesdrip has had its equivalent in the Roman stillicidium, which prohibited building up to the very edge of an estate.

Answer 2

From Anglo-Saxon days. In those times a house had very wide overhanging eaves, not unlike those that may still be seen on thatched cottages in Devon. Since rain gutters and spouts were unknown then, the purpose of the wide overhang was to allow rain to drip safely away from the house's foundation. So the 'eavesdrip,' which later became 'eavesdrop,' provided a sheltered place where one could hide to listen clandestinely to conversations within the house.

Nice going "greatlove". Type in the letter 'e' ... to protect "first place" then go do your research. Unsportsmanlike conduct.