Behind the . . . Eight Ball?
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 7:32 pm
I’ve always thought that Mr. Churchill coined the term ‘iron curtain’ (in 1945), but it’s heard in the film “The 39 Steps” (1935), used in a literal sense. It turns out it goes a lot farther back:
OED: 1. Theatre. An iron screen which can be lowered on to the front of the stage to protect the auditorium from any fire occurring on or behind the stage. Cf. iron n.1 22, safety curtain n. at safety n. Compounds 3.
1794 Morning Post 15 Feb. The preventions used against fire in this Theatre [sc. Drury Lane] are singular and ingenious; all the wood-work is covered with thin plates of iron, and there is in addition an iron curtain, which extends to the walls, and is so calculated as completely to prevent the flames spreading to the front of the House, though the scenes were to catch fire.
1794 R. Fitzpatrick Occas. Prol. 3 Consume the Scenes, your safety yet is certain, Presto! for proof, let down the Iron Curtain.
Even as metaphor, it precedes Churchill:
OED: 1920 E. Snowden Through Bolshevik Russia ii. 32 We were behind the ‘iron curtain’ at last! (Snowden!)
OED: 1. Theatre. An iron screen which can be lowered on to the front of the stage to protect the auditorium from any fire occurring on or behind the stage. Cf. iron n.1 22, safety curtain n. at safety n. Compounds 3.
1794 Morning Post 15 Feb. The preventions used against fire in this Theatre [sc. Drury Lane] are singular and ingenious; all the wood-work is covered with thin plates of iron, and there is in addition an iron curtain, which extends to the walls, and is so calculated as completely to prevent the flames spreading to the front of the House, though the scenes were to catch fire.
1794 R. Fitzpatrick Occas. Prol. 3 Consume the Scenes, your safety yet is certain, Presto! for proof, let down the Iron Curtain.
Even as metaphor, it precedes Churchill:
OED: 1920 E. Snowden Through Bolshevik Russia ii. 32 We were behind the ‘iron curtain’ at last! (Snowden!)