THE ARROW LOOPHOLE
" The word loop-hole comes from an old Dutch word, 'lupen', meaning to 'peer through'. (*) This slit in the castle walls was used by the archers to shoot their arrows to the attackers and you could see the arrow coming and dodge it. When the more dangerous crossbow came into use the middle of the loophole was widened so that from the outside it looked like a cross. Some of these loopholes can also be seen in Girne (Kyrenia) castle." (Dr. William Dreghorn in 'Kantara Castle', Nicosia, 1985)
(*) Note: I'm afraid the late Mr. Dreghorn is wrong here. Instead of 'lupen' he may have meant the Dutch word 'loepen', which means to look at things through a magnifying glass.
The pronunciation of the English word 'loop' and the Dutch word 'loep' (i.e. a magnifyer) sounds the same - in English. - Hans Doeleman, webmaster.
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