Where did the term ‘Loophole’ originate?

SOURCE: Wikimedia

There are a number of theories as to how ‘loophole’ came into our vocabulary:

• From the Dutch word ‘liupen’ meaning ‘to peer’ or ‘loopgat’ from the word ‘loopen’ which means ‘to run’.
• In the Middle Ages, there were slit-like windows in castles called loopholes, which were a vertical slit or opening in the wall, allowing a defender to look out or shoot arrows while protected.

It currently takes the meaning of an omission or ambiguity in which one use as a means of escape or exploit or benefit from a situation.

The term used as a ‘technicality that allows evasion was first used by poet Andrew Marvell in 1663.

SOURCES:

http://idiomorigins.net/loophole/

http://www.takeourword.com/TOW120/page2.html