loophole
a way to avoid following a rule or regulation
TRANSLATION
loophole = die Lücke, z.B. im Gesetz, ein Schlupfloch --- GOOGLE INDEX loophole: approximately 10,300,000 Google hits
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
The owners of several empty business units in Derby are exploiting a legal LOOPHOLE to avoid paying tax, the city council has said.
(BBC News)
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A security LOOPHOLE within the image-reporting tool led some Facebook users to find a flaw in the system which exposes private photos.
(International Business Times)
(BBC News)
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A security LOOPHOLE within the image-reporting tool led some Facebook users to find a flaw in the system which exposes private photos.
(International Business Times)
Did you
know?
loophole
noun
- an ambiguity or inadequacy in the law or a set of rules
(Oxford English Dictionaries)
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Most dictionaries cite the origin of the word loophole as the narrow, slit-like windows common in medieval castles (Loop is an obsolete word for window). These were narrow vertical windows from which castle defenders launched arrows from a sheltered position. In addition to loopholes, they are also referred to as arrow loops or bow loops.
Castle loopholes featured different designs and sizes to accommodate the shape of various weapons. They were accessed from wide inside areas that led to narrow openings and were built to accommodate the archers who launched arrows using the short bow, the crossbow and the longbow.
The theory suggests these windows came to be synonymous with a means for physically escaping from the fortress, eventually evolving to the figurative sense of evading a rule or law through a technicality. The word loop is believed to stem from the Dutch "luipen, meaning to watch or peer, which is also likely related to "Lupe," the German word for magnifying glass.
Legend has it that when Hollywood actor W C Fields was on his deathbed, he was observed reading the Bible. When someone commented that he had shown no interest in the Good Book until now, the famous comedian replied, "I'm just looking for loopholes."
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SYNONYMS
escape, alternative, escape clause, means of escape, outlet, technicality, way out
--
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"A good lawyer can find a loophole in any contract."
noun
- an ambiguity or inadequacy in the law or a set of rules
(Oxford English Dictionaries)
---
Most dictionaries cite the origin of the word loophole as the narrow, slit-like windows common in medieval castles (Loop is an obsolete word for window). These were narrow vertical windows from which castle defenders launched arrows from a sheltered position. In addition to loopholes, they are also referred to as arrow loops or bow loops.
Castle loopholes featured different designs and sizes to accommodate the shape of various weapons. They were accessed from wide inside areas that led to narrow openings and were built to accommodate the archers who launched arrows using the short bow, the crossbow and the longbow.
The theory suggests these windows came to be synonymous with a means for physically escaping from the fortress, eventually evolving to the figurative sense of evading a rule or law through a technicality. The word loop is believed to stem from the Dutch "luipen, meaning to watch or peer, which is also likely related to "Lupe," the German word for magnifying glass.
Legend has it that when Hollywood actor W C Fields was on his deathbed, he was observed reading the Bible. When someone commented that he had shown no interest in the Good Book until now, the famous comedian replied, "I'm just looking for loopholes."
---
SYNONYMS
escape, alternative, escape clause, means of escape, outlet, technicality, way out
--
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"A good lawyer can find a loophole in any contract."
