Window on the world
Posted by ESC on June 12, 2005
In Reply to: Window on the world posted by Leslie on June 12, 2005
: A Chilean friend's daughter has an English exam and asked me what the phrase "window on the world" means. Any help would be appreciated.
: Yours, Leslie
There was a Window on the World restaurant at the World Trade Center.
I'm looking for the origin or first use of the expression. No luck so far. Here's what I think: it means a panoramic or eagle's eye view of everything.
Panoramic = 2 a : an unobstructed or complete view of an area in every direction b : a comprehensive presentation of a subject (Merriam-Webster online).
Window is from an Old Norse word for "an eye of wind," suggesting a window's function of letting in both air and light. (Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997).
- Window on the world Bob 12/June/05
- Window on the world Brian from Shawnee 13/June/05
- Window on the world Bob 13/June/05
- Window on the world Brian from Shawnee 13/June/05