PEEPING TOM
24 / 05 / 2012
PEEPING TOM: meaning and examples
Good morning,
Today we answer a request from Joan C., who wrote...
"I was watching a film on the TV, 'Back to the Future', and I heard 'Hey, my father is a Peeping Tom'. Could you explain the expression Peeping Tom, and why it is used? Thank you very much."
Today's expression is: to be a Peeping Tom
It means: a voyeur or a person who spies on (observes) naked or sexually active people for personal gratification. This expression perhaps comes from the legend of Lady Godiva, who rode through the town of Coventry naked on a horse. You can read more about that legend at the link below:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/peeping-tom.html
Example 1:
Nancy: There's a new neighbour across the street and I think he's a Peeping Tom!
Deb: How do you know?
Nancy: Well, although the lights in his flat are usually off, it seems like there is always someone hiding behind the curtain! It's a bit creepy, really!
Example 2:
There are a lot of American comedy films about high school or university kids going crazy and partying, and they all seem to include a Peeping Tom, who is usually a school janitor.
I hope this explanation is clear, Joan. As you can see, a person would probably feel embarrassed if they saw that they were being watched by a Peeping Tom. I wonder if a Peeping Tom would also feel ashamed to be caught!
I would be happy to answer any questions about today's Daily Vitamin in the Daily Vitamin section on our website. To post a question, click on the "add a comment" button.
Remember that tomorrow we present the Essential Weekly Vitamin for Spanish-speaking students of English.
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Today we answer a request from Joan C., who wrote...
"I was watching a film on the TV, 'Back to the Future', and I heard 'Hey, my father is a Peeping Tom'. Could you explain the expression Peeping Tom, and why it is used? Thank you very much."
Today's expression is: to be a Peeping Tom
It means: a voyeur or a person who spies on (observes) naked or sexually active people for personal gratification. This expression perhaps comes from the legend of Lady Godiva, who rode through the town of Coventry naked on a horse. You can read more about that legend at the link below:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/peeping-tom.html
Example 1:
Nancy: There's a new neighbour across the street and I think he's a Peeping Tom!
Deb: How do you know?
Nancy: Well, although the lights in his flat are usually off, it seems like there is always someone hiding behind the curtain! It's a bit creepy, really!
Example 2:
There are a lot of American comedy films about high school or university kids going crazy and partying, and they all seem to include a Peeping Tom, who is usually a school janitor.
I hope this explanation is clear, Joan. As you can see, a person would probably feel embarrassed if they saw that they were being watched by a Peeping Tom. I wonder if a Peeping Tom would also feel ashamed to be caught!
I would be happy to answer any questions about today's Daily Vitamin in the Daily Vitamin section on our website. To post a question, click on the "add a comment" button.
Remember that tomorrow we present the Essential Weekly Vitamin for Spanish-speaking students of English.
Enjoy the rest of your day!
