# Shh... don't tell anyone about my super-secret passage **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 20, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377 "2006-02-20T21:29:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/21 "2006-02-21T19:31:03Z")
Very impressive, but I think I might have gone with a hidden switch instead of the Hollywood-style book. It looks like it’s otherwise flawless, but someone could stumble on the book. It’s great as a novelty but it looks like your were just that close to having it REALLY be secret in case you ever have a body or an evil twin son to hide. Are there any photos of the top or bottom of the shelf? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/22 "2006-02-21T19:54:42Z")
**Dusty** … _Ahem._ > **[Batman Shakespeare Bust Life-Size Replica](https://www.thegreenhead.com/2004/09/batman-shakespeare-bust-life-size.php)** > > On the old 1960s Batman tv show, on the desk in Bruce Wayne's private study in stately Wayne manor sat a William Shakespeare Bust. This was no ordinary bust, it held a secret switch under its hinged head, that when pushed revealed the Batpoles behind... ---
**Author:** ![Dusty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@Dusty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dusty)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/23 "2006-02-21T20:05:21Z")
> [@riker1384](#): > > Are there any photos of the top or bottom of the shelf? At the moment, the tops and bottoms of the bookcases just end. Eventually, there’ll be crown moulding linking the top to the ceiling and something I haven’t yet decided on to cap off the bottom and cover the gap between the last shelf and the floor, but that can’t start until the floor’s in. Unless you mean of just the sliding bookcase. It has no top, or rather, it’s top doesn’t move, and it’s bottom is the last shelf, wheels, and tracks. Those will be covered by the same undecided on moulding. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/24 "2006-02-21T20:21:21Z")
Schweet! This could be the basis of a really cool Halloween gag! My childhood home had the world’s most useless un-secret passage: a sliding pocket door between the two bathrooms. The only time it came in handy was if one bathroom was out of toilet paper. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/25 "2006-02-21T21:05:33Z")
[QUOTE=cavemanThe only time it came in handy was if one bathroom was out of toilet paper.[/QUOTE] You say that like it was no big thing. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/26 "2006-02-21T21:35:34Z")
Y’all wiped your butts with a sliding pocket door? ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/27 "2006-02-21T21:59:12Z")
> [@Dusty](#): > > But, what I’m here to make sure noöne tells anybody about, Now that you’ve told us, you’ll have to kill us. Well, at least I know where you can hide the bodies… ---
**Author:** ![Dusty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@Dusty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dusty)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/28 "2006-02-21T22:01:43Z")
Stacked neatly, I could probably get a couple dozen in there. As always, the key is not to rush. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/29 "2006-02-22T02:30:55Z")
Very nice indeed! You should be very proud! I also have a secret room in my house, a concealed door behind a large mirror in the master bedroom. There was no floor, just rafters, we had the floor put in when we bought the house, some of the best money we’ve spent. It is attic space but I’ve had electric and telephone added and it has small little windows that open and the yellow brick stack of the chimney. It’s wicked cool, contains lots of old trunks and a futon covered in old blankets. It’s the smoking room in our house and never fails to impress guests. And it leads to the actual attic space which is, of course, filled with junkola and stuff. I love your installation, the book thing is a real nice touch but I have a suggestion for you. As you mentioned once you’ve constructed a secret area it’s almost irresistable to show it to everyone, so it loses some of it’s secretness. I would humbly submit that an alternate book sleeve be prepared so you can show everyone the yellow, and then, voila, you could switch it out just to confuse. Just a thought! ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/30 "2006-02-22T04:20:20Z")
Also, fill up the other shelves, just so it doesn’t stand out. Very nice, though. I applaud you! My second house growing up had a door under the stairs, sliding doors hidden in al the doorways, and a laundry chute. No secret passages, though. If I built a house, ALL the doors and rooms would be secret! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/31 "2006-02-22T04:51:35Z")
How does the bookcase move? Springs? Electric motor? Muscles? BTW, I think your next project should be a secret exit from your house. Probably this would mean a tunnel that leads to …dunno. An outbuilding? Just a exit door set in the ground and disguised somehow? Okay, a lot of work, but think of the neat possibilities. And how invaluable it will be for escaping when the hordes of rampaging zombies have you surrounded in your house and are slowly battering through your door. Unless, what if they find the OTHER door, and use the tunnel to sneak into your house? :eek: Best have good strong locks on the doors at BOTH ends, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![KJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b2d939/32.png) [@KJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KJ)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/32 "2006-02-22T05:18:37Z")
Well, that’s the coolest thing I’ve seen today. Now I want to make one! Too bad I live in an apartment. ---
**Author:** ![Dusty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@Dusty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dusty)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/33 "2006-02-22T05:31:05Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > How does the bookcase move? Springs? Electric motor? Muscles? After unlocking it, you push. It rolls pretty easily, so it doesn’t take much force. My next project (after the current batch are done) is an elevator–one of those exposed birdcage-type affairs like you see in old movies, with a lever that makes it go up and down (but not side to side or back in time). I figure two pulleys, a cable, wench, a whole bunch of dowels, and an iron-inspired faux finish are all I need. I’ll demolish the stairs down to the basement and put it there. It’ll free up room to add a concession stand to my screening room. One novel thing I have every intent of one day having whenever I can build my own house are two identical rooms, side by side with a very thin common wall, furnished, decorated, and lit exactly the same but in mirror image, and on that thin wall between them have a decoratively framed window. It’s dual use: 1. If your guests are in the room with you, you can step in front of the ‘mirror’ and they’ll see no reflection and think you’re a vampire. 2. If you’re in the mirror room, your guests will see your reflection but no you, and think you’re a ghost. Either way, great fun. Also, tiny doors, like in _Alice in Wonderland_. I toured a house once with one. Perfect little 19th century paneled door, standing all of two feet tall, right in the hallway in line with the other boring big doors. I love it. My dream house must have at least one. > [@Love Rhombus](#): > > Also, fill up the other shelves, just so it doesn’t stand out. Oh, that will be easy enough. I fear once it’s done, my new library will already be too small. > [@lieu](#): > > I’m thinking’ you got that hammer thingy figured out. Not really, but I have discovered the screw. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/34 "2006-02-22T05:36:24Z")
I’ve long known then whenever I have my own house, I’m going to need a full room as a dedicated library. Somehow, I did not know that said library would need a secret passage. I do now know, however, that I do need one, and in fact always have needed one. Thank you! The only secret passage with which I’ve ever had any personal connection is at my gramma’s house. Two of the bedrooms have closets which are connected together, sort of side-by-side. I’d forgotten untill a couple of years ago just how shallow those closets were (and hence, how narrow the passage was): I’d have a hard time fitting through it as an adult. As for my eventual secret library chamber, I don’t know exactly what features it would have, but it would probably include a comfy chair, a lamp, and sufficient lightproofing, so I could hide back there and read without anyone knowing. Or, wait! I’ve got it! Two separate chambers, activated by different switches! One would be from an obvious fake book, and lead to a junk room to show off to everyone, and the other would be a more hidden switch, and lead to my private secret sanctum! ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/35 "2006-02-22T06:21:31Z")
> [@Dusty](#): > > My next project (after the current batch are done) is an elevator–one of those exposed birdcage-type affairs like you see in old movies, with a lever that makes it go up and down (but not side to side or back in time). I figure two pulleys, a cable, wench, a whole bunch of dowels, and an iron-inspired faux finish are all I need. I’ll demolish the stairs down to the basement and put it there. If those are the only stairs I’d be worried about fire codes, moving washing machines down there and things like that. Good luck on the mirror room. In Terminator 2 when they are working on Arnold’s head in the garage, instead of a mirror it’s a mirror room with Linda Hamilton’s tiwn sister. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/36 "2006-02-22T15:21:25Z")
I am awestruck by your secret-making-abilities, and madly jealous of anyone who has/had a secret room or passageway in their house. 'Tis the stuff that dreams are made of! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377/37 "2006-02-22T16:03:02Z")
This is absolutely awesome. **Dusty** , “We are not worthy”. My library is split up into 5 locations in the house. I would love a dedicated room with a secret passage. In fact the secret room would make an ideal place for gaming. I am green with Envy. Jim [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shh-dont-tell-anyone-about-my-super-secret-passage/345377.md?page=1)