We've all seen them, the odd, angled windows that make us turn our heads sideways. Commonly called "witch windows," State Architectural Historian Devin Colman said he is often called upon to explain why they exist.

"I think they are predominantly associated with Vermont, in fact they are sometimes called Vermont windows," Colman said. "That said, they are not exclusive to Vermont. They do show up in other New England states."

Witches first. The story goes the angled window prevents witches and spirits from entering the house.

"Which begs the question: 'What about all the other windows that are vertical?'" Colman said. "I've never understood that one."

Then there's the opposite explanation. Spirits and witches already in your house can only exit through an angled window.

"That makes more sense, if you believe in spirits," Colman said.

The window is open - Weird Window Brewing in South Burlington, that is

The angled windows are also sometimes called "coffin windows." The idea there is that if somebody dies upstairs you would put them in a coffin and lower it out of the angled window to the roof below, and then to the ground, Colman explained.

"Which is ridiculous," he said. "If you've ever lifted a person, wouldn't it make more sense to carry the body downstairs?"

The real explanation for witch windows can be chalked up to Yankee frugality, according to Colman.

The windows always appear on the gable end of a story and a half or two story house − most often in a rural setting − where an addition to the house has created a little gap of wall space between the roof and the addition.

"You can't fit in a vertical window, there's not quite enough space, but it you take it and tip it parallel with the roofline it fits in perfectly," Colman said. "It's a common sense way to still have a window on the gable end to get fresh air and light."

Also, putting on an addition often required taking out one or two existing windows, which could then be reused as witches windows. Yankee frugality.

Nowadays, Colman said, you can get custom windows made in any shape or size you want, making witch windows obsolete. Yet they're still installed in some Vermont houses as a nod to the past. And a guarantee that any witches that happen to be in your house will have a way out.

Contact Dan D’Ambrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosio@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.