<P> In American vernacular architecture, a witch window (also known as a Vermont window, among other names) is a window (usually a double - hung sash window, occasionally a single - sided casement window) placed in the gable - end wall of a house and rotated approximately 1 / 8 of a turn (45 degrees) from the vertical, leaving it diagonal, with its long edge parallel to the roof slope . This technique allows a builder to fit a full - sized window into the long, narrow wall space between two adjacent roof lines . </P> <P> Witch windows are found almost exclusively in or near the U.S. state of Vermont, generally in the central and northern parts of the state . They are principally installed in farmhouses from the 19th century, although they can be found--less frequently--in new construction . </P> <P> The name "witch window" appears to come from a folk belief that witches cannot fly their broomsticks through the tilted windows, although it seems unlikely that the tale was taken seriously . The windows are also known as "coffin windows"; it is unclear if they really were used for removing a coffin from the second floor (avoiding a narrow staircase), or if the odd placement on the wall was reminiscent of a coffin . Either explanation seems far - fetched . They are alternatively known as "Vermont windows" because of their distribution, and as "sideways" or "lazy windows" for their orientation . </P> <P> Dormer windows, which can leave a room very cold, are unusual in Vermont, particularly in older construction; windows are mostly placed in walls . When a house is expanded, for example with a kitchen wing or an attached shed, there may be very little wall space available in the gable end in which to put a window, which may be the only window available for an upper floor room (if there is no dormer--adding a dormer to an existing roof is problematic, as it involves puncturing the roof membrane). </P>

Many houses in vermont in the usa have a diagonal window to keep out what
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