What is "behind the curtain"

Curtain \Cur"tain\ (k[^u]r"t[i^]n; 48), n. [OE.cortin, curtin,fr. OF. cortine, curtine, F. courtine, LL. cortina, curtian (in senses 1 and 2), also, small court, small inclosure surrounded by walls, from cortis court. See Court.]

1. A hanging screen intended to darken or conceal, and admitting of being drawn back or up, and reclosed at pleasure; esp., drapery of cloth or lace hanging round a bed or at a window; in theaters, and like places, a movable screen for concealing the stage.

2. (Fort.) That part of the rampart and parapet which is between two bastions or two gates. See Illustrations of Ravelin and Bastion.

3. (Arch.) That part of a wall of a building which is between two pavilions, towers, etc.

4. A flag; an ensign; -- in contempt. [Obs.] --Shak. Behind the curtain, in concealment; in secret. Curtain lecture, a querulous lecture given by a wife to her husband within the bed curtains, or in bed. --Jerrold. A curtain lecture is worth all the sermons in the world for teaching the virtues of patience and long-suffering. --W. Irving. The curtain falls, the performance closes. The curtain rises, the performance begins. To draw the curtain, to close it over an object, or to remove it; hence:

   1. To hide or to disclose an object.

   2. To commence or close a performance.

      To drop the curtain, to end the tale, or close the performance.

Behind The Curtain is the second book in the Echo Falls mystery series by best selling crime novelist Peter Abrahams.

Behind the Curtain is a compilation album by English rock band Wire. It was released in 1995, composed of outtakes and early versions of songs from 1977–1978. Amongst the first songs on the compilation come from the band's first live performance at The Roxy in London in April 1977. Following these are officially previously unreleased studio tracks, and previously unreleased versions of songs that were released in finished versions.