Peeping Tom

noun

1. a person who obtains sexual gratification by observing others surreptitiously, especially a man who looks through windows at night.

Peeping Tom

noun

1. a man who furtively observes women undressing; voyeur

peeping Tom

1. One who derives pleasure, usually sexual, from secretly spying on others. (See voyeurism.)

The original “peeping Tom” was a legendary resident of the town where Lady Godiva rode naked through the streets. According to the story, Tom defied official orders by looking out his window as she went by and was struck blind.

Word History and Origins

Origin of peeping Tom¹

First recorded in 1910–15; allusion to the legendary man who peeped at Lady Godiva as she rode naked through Coventry

Word History and Origins

Origin of peeping Tom¹

C19: after the tailor who, according to legend, peeped at Lady Godiva when she rode naked through Coventry

Idioms and Phrases

A person who secretly watches others, especially for sexual gratification; a voyeur. For example, The police caught a peeping Tom right outside their house. This expression, first recorded in 1796, alludes to the legend of the tailor Tom, the only person to watch the naked Lady Godiva as she rode by and who was struck blind for this sin.

Example Sentences

In the mid-1970s, Scorsese befriended the great British filmmaker Michael Powell, who likewise was frozen out of the business after 1960’s controversial “Peeping Tom.”

From Seattle Times

Nowhere is her style — prosy description punctuated by the numinous — more evident than in this work, collected in her book, “Peeping Tom Tom Girl.”

From Los Angeles Times

Nevertheless, they retain a whiff of the transgressive — the Peeping Tom quality that makes Hitchcock’s “Rear Window” creepy.

From New York Times

He looked at films like “Persona,” “Peeping Tom” and “Sapphire,” many of which embraced a vibrant color palette.

From Los Angeles Times

One side claimed harassment by loud music after complaining about netting put up to protect the outdoor sculpture; the other side alleged invasion of privacy by a neighbor they accused of being a Peeping Tom.

From Los Angeles Times