Transom (architectural)

A decorative wooden transom above paper-covered sliding doors

In architecture, a transom is the term given to a horizontal glazing bar which is framed across a window, dividing it into stages or heights.

Transom is the customary U.S. word for a traditionally fixed window over a door or an operating sash window.12 In England, the transom above a door is usually referred to as a fanlight, and occasionally as an "overlight", or by the French word "vasistas".3 The word "fanlight" derives from the fan-like shape of early transoms, which became a traditional part of the Georgian style.4 "Vasistas" sounds similar to the German phrase "was ist das?" ("what is that?"); hence folk etymology ascribes its origin to a visiting German's reaction to seeing a transom during a trip to France.5

Contents

History

In early Gothic ecclesiastical work, transoms are only found in belfry unglazed windows or spire lights, where they were deemed necessary to strengthen the mullions in the absence of the iron stay bars, which in glazed windows served a similar purpose. In the later Gothic, and more especially the Perpendicular Period, the introduction of transoms became common in windows of all kinds.6

Idiomatic Usage

  • The phrase over the transom refers to works submitted for publication without being solicited. The image evoked is of a writer tossing a manuscript through the open window over the door of the publisher's office.7
  • Similarly, the phrase is used to describe the means by which confidential documents, information or tips were delivered anonymously to someone who is not officially supposed to have them. 8
  • "Like pushing a piano through a transom" is a folk idiom used to describe something exceedingly difficult; its application to childbirth (and possibly its origin) has been attributed to Alice Roosevelt Longworth and Fannie Brice.

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Efficient Windows Collaborative: Glossary". http://www.efficientwindows.org/glossary.cfm#t. Retrieved on 2007-12-13. 
  2. ^ "What is a transom window?". Big Blue Window. http://www.bigbluewindow.com/faq.aspx#q50. Retrieved on 2007-12-13. 
  3. ^ "Euro Dictionary: Vavistas". http://www.eurodict.koralsoft.com/VASISTAS+searchid-70270-ed_tr_en.html. Retrieved on 2007-12-13. 
  4. ^ "Georgian Revival in Buffalo, NY". The University of Buffalo. http://freenet.buffalo.edu/bah/a/archsty/geo/index.html. Retrieved on 2007-12-13. 
  5. ^ "A Droll Tale". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D05EEDB133CF930A15750C0A962958260. Retrieved on 2007-12-13. 
  6. ^ "The Principles of Gothic Ecclesiastical Architecture, Elucidated by Question and Answer, 4th ed.". Project Gutenberg. http://infomotions.com/etexts/gutenberg/dirs/1/9/7/3/19737/19737.htm. Retrieved on 2007-12-13. 
  7. ^ "What Does Over The Transom Mean?". About Freelance Writing. http://www.aboutfreelancewriting.com/articles/gettingstarted/QAoverthetransom.htm. Retrieved on 2007-12-13. 
  8. ^ [1] DA Morganthau Cites "Over the Transom" Letter as root of fraud investigation

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  • This page was last modified on 29 December 2008, at 16:09.

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