- Godiva
- d.1067, Lady of Coventry and wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia. Legend first recorded 100 years after her death, by Roger of Wendover. "Peeping Tom" aspect added by 1659.
- peep (1)
- "glance" (esp. through a small opening), 1460, perhaps alteration of M.E. piken (see peek). The noun was first in sense found in peep of day (1530); meaning "a furtive glance" is first recorded 1730. Peep-hole is from 1681; peep-show is from 1851 (not typically salacious until c.1914). Slang peeper "eye" is from c.1700. Peeping Tom "a curious prying fellow" is from 1796; connection with Lady Godiva story dates only from 1837.