Glory-hole meaning

A vertical mine shaft or pit used for mining ore.
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(mining) Originally, a hole in a mineshaft where an orebody is mined upwards until it breaks through the surface into the open air.
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A place, such as a cupboard, for storing odds and ends.
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The opening of a furnace used in glassblowing.
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A hole in a wall, especially in a bathroom stall or a booth, used for engaging in anonymous sexual activity.
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(slang, sexual) A hole in a screen or wall big enough to allow an erect penis to be stuck through, made to facilitate anonymous sex with another person.

Glory holes are often found in public toilets and are likely to be used for gay male activities.

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(slang) A military trench.
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(glassblowing) A hole in the side of a furnace used to heat glass held on a metal rod.
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(slang, Scotland, and northern England) A deep built-in cupboard under the eaves or stairs of a house used for general storage, particularly of unrelated or unwanted items stored in some disorder.
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(slang, naval) In merchant and Royal Navy:
  • In the Navy this refers to a place for general untidinesses.
  • On passenger liners the Stewards' mess is referred to as the the 'glory hole'.
  • On coal-burning tramp steamers, the stokehold was referred to as the 'glory hole'.
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An excavation into the sea floor designed to protect the wellhead equipment installed at the surface of a petroleum well from icebergs or pack ice.
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Alternative spelling of glory hole.
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Origin of glory-hole

  • Originally untidy storage place, lazaret glory of unknown meaning (perhaps akin to Scots glaury muddy) (from glaur mud) (but later influenced by glory honor, halo, perhaps in reference to the glow of a glassblowing furnace) hole
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition