Work, professions & dockers' nicknames
These usages are arranged alphabetically, all having something to do with the theme of "work, etc., and dockers' nicknames." For fuller information about each usage, see the main list. There are twenty-six files there. Just click on to the appropriate letter.
183 entries
Ardy Alliganan old-timer on the job
an old-timer on the job
Full A–Z entry →bailiffdebt collector
debt collector
Full A–Z entry →barrer girlhandcart girl
handcart girl
binnie, dertrash collector
trash collector
black a cargo, toto refuse to unload it
to refuse to unload it
blockerman, derforeman
foreman
booze-jerkerbartender
bartender
bullet, get theto be fired
to be fired
bunceextra pay
extra pay
Full A–Z entry →can-ladmakes tea for workers
makes tea for workers
Full A–Z entry →clubman, debill collector
bill collector
cotton skindock cargo sampler
dock cargo sampler
Full A–Z entry →cowboy, afly-by-night tradesman
fly-by-night tradesman
creasedtired
tired
cuzzies, decustoms officers
customs officers
day-old chick, anewcomer on the job
newcomer on the job
De tatterrag collector
rag collector
Dockers' Umbrella, deoverhead railway
overhead railway
dolls' eyes, cargo oftrifling cargo
trifling cargo
easy six, anSunday work
Sunday work
Eck-eck, ere's..the supervisor is coming......
the supervisor is coming......
firebobby, defirefighter
firefighter
go to the stand, toto assemble somewhere to be chosen for work
to assemble somewhere to be chosen for work
gold nuggit, alucrative Saturday work
lucrative Saturday work
grafta job
a job
Full A–Z entry →grouse job, aan excellent job
an excellent job
Full A–Z entry →jack, toto quit
to quit
Full A–Z entry →jockeyextra pay
extra pay
Full A–Z entry →lecky man, deelectric meter reader
electric meter reader
lumperscompensation sum for loss of employment
compensation sum for loss of employment
Full A–Z entry →make and mendbreak time
break time
Full A–Z entry →milk feller, demilkman
milkman
muckman, derrefuse collector
refuse collector
overcoat gang, thedockers who never remove their coats
dockers who never remove their coats
Full A–Z entry →Paddy Kellydeck police officer
deck police officer
Full A–Z entry →Pig and Whistle, thethe crew bar on a ship
the crew bar on a ship
ragman, dethe junkman
the junkman
rentfeller, derent collector
rent collector
sit on his book, toto withdraw a docker's employment book
to withdraw a docker's employment book
Sling yer 'ookmake off!
make off!
T'ree on der ook--t'ree on de bookthree days working, three unemployed(with unemployment benefits)
three days working, three unemployed(with unemployment benefits)
tallyman, decollector of installment payments
collector of installment payments
under de lampcompensation at less than the going rate.
compensation at less than the going rate.
welt, to be on theto be on a rest period
to be on a rest period
Full A–Z entry →Werkin fer de Queendrawing unemployment benefits
drawing unemployment benefits
winger, aa ship's steward
a ship's steward
yard dog, acustoms officer
customs officer
DOCKERS' NICKNAMES
Abe...Abe"What are you waiting for now?" Notice, however, that "A-be" occurs throughout South Lancaster speech, meaning to let be, as in "Let it a-be."
"What are you waiting for now?" Notice, however, that "A-be" occurs throughout South Lancaster speech, meaning to let be, as in "Let it a-be."
Adamdown in the hold, shouts up "God Almighty--am I the only one down here or wot?"
down in the hold, shouts up "God Almighty--am I the only one down here or wot?"
Al Caponewhere's the gang?
where's the gang?
Altar Boy, thealways with the Bishop
always with the Bishop
Athleteruns when there is work to be done
runs when there is work to be done
Auctioneerhe's knock anything down
he's knock anything down
Aztec, the Black Dockeralways saying "Aztec dis, Aztec dat."
always saying "Aztec dis, Aztec dat."
Bakerkeeps talking about his tart. The kids have left; now it's only him and his tart.
keeps talking about his tart. The kids have left; now it's only him and his tart.
Baldy Rabbit, thesays "lend us a tanner I've lost me fare." Cf. Also The Frozen Rabbit: on the borrow, he's lost his fare again.
says "lend us a tanner I've lost me fare." Cf. Also The Frozen Rabbit: on the borrow, he's lost his fare again.
Ballerina, the"So I turned round, and told him..."
"So I turned round, and told him..."
Balloonforeman who says "Don't let me down, lads."
foreman who says "Don't let me down, lads."
Barking Dogalways snarling at everyone
always snarling at everyone
Barking Pupthe barking dog's son, always snarling at everyone
the barking dog's son, always snarling at everyone
Batdoes so many nights he can't see in the daytime
does so many nights he can't see in the daytime
Batmanwon't leave the ship without robbin
won't leave the ship without robbin
Bewildered Minstrel: doesn't know whether he is white or black. This is said to refer to Cilla…
Black's father, whose name was White.
Big Benhe worked while the strike was on
he worked while the strike was on
Bird Doctorsays this lark's(job) no good
says this lark's(job) no good
Bishop, thealways saying " God bless you, boys."
always saying " God bless you, boys."
Blacksmith, themakes a bolt for the door at kitty time
makes a bolt for the door at kitty time
Blessed Art Thoua great lover (from "blessed art thou among women")
a great lover (from "blessed art thou among women")
Blister, theonly shows up when the work is over
only shows up when the work is over
Blood Donora very pale fellow
a very pale fellow
Bobby Beater, thesays "Let's get stuck into this copper!"
says "Let's get stuck into this copper!"
Bostickthings they are unloading just seem to stick to him.
things they are unloading just seem to stick to him.
Broken Boomerang, thewon't ever come back
won't ever come back
Broken Clock, the"Give us a lift, I've got a bad ticker"
"Give us a lift, I've got a bad ticker"
Broken Globe, the"We won't get a light out of this."
"We won't get a light out of this."
Burglar, the"we'll break in here."
"we'll break in here."
Canon Cupsthe tea lad (tea can and chipped enamel mugs) for the dockers
the tea lad (tea can and chipped enamel mugs) for the dockers
Case Ball, thealways getting laced
always getting laced
Cassius Claywhere's the gloves?
where's the gloves?
Chemistloads a truck and says "There's morphia."
loads a truck and says "There's morphia."
Chichesteralways to be found out in the Atlantic, which is the name of a dock pub
always to be found out in the Atlantic, which is the name of a dock pub
Cinderella"I gotta be away by twelve."
"I gotta be away by twelve."
Clergyman, thenever has Sunday off.
never has Sunday off.
Constipator, thealways has a pained look on his face
always has a pained look on his face
Contented DinerI've got enough on my plate
I've got enough on my plate
Coronation Kid, theshe'll crown me when I get home.
she'll crown me when I get home.
Coward, thewore an old army overcoat with a bullet hole in the back
wore an old army overcoat with a bullet hole in the back
Deck Handalways carried his cards with him
always carried his cards with him
Depth Charge, the"I'm going down for a sub"
"I'm going down for a sub"
Destroyeralways after subs( wage advances)
always after subs( wage advances)
Dice King, the"I only want seven."
"I only want seven."
Diesel"diesel do for our kid, diesel do for me ma." Or: "I think diesel fitter."
"diesel do for our kid, diesel do for me ma." Or: "I think diesel fitter."
Doctor Barnard"What no overtime? Boss, have a heart."
"What no overtime? Boss, have a heart."
Doctor JekyllI need a change.
I need a change.
Dope Peddler, thebicycles to work every day when he could drive
bicycles to work every day when he could drive
Drug Addict"Here's some morphia here."
"Here's some morphia here."
Drunken Overcoat, thestaggers out of the gate every night with a full coat
staggers out of the gate every night with a full coat
Duluxa docker with a large coat on, because, as with Dulux, one coat covers the lot
a docker with a large coat on, because, as with Dulux, one coat covers the lot
Eddie Calvertsays "let's have a blow."
says "let's have a blow."
Fractured Fairy, thesays "Youse must think I fell off a Christmas Tree."
says "Youse must think I fell off a Christmas Tree."
Frightened Fishwon't handle a crane
won't handle a crane
Frightened Goaliewon't go out for the net
won't go out for the net
Frozen Rabbit, theLend me a tenner ter ger ome, I've lost me fur
Lend me a tenner ter ger ome, I've lost me fur
Gardener, the: "Finish the job boys, and go and plant yourselves."…
Or: always planting himself in the sun.
Ghost, thealways moaning
always moaning
Good Shepherdtook a sheep carcass or a sheep out of the docks
took a sheep carcass or a sheep out of the docks
Guy Fawkes"this ship want's blowing up."
"this ship want's blowing up."
Happy Familyalways coming to work with blackeyes
always coming to work with blackeyes
Harry the Horsenever off his bike
never off his bike
Harpiche's clean around the bend(daft)
he's clean around the bend(daft)
Hungry Rabbit, thehas never got a carrot
has never got a carrot
Hush Puppyanother son of Barking Dog, told to keep his gob shut.
another son of Barking Dog, told to keep his gob shut.
Hush Puppiesnobody ever heard him getting into the containers
nobody ever heard him getting into the containers
Inkhe's always in the pen(the taking on point)
he's always in the pen(the taking on point)
Jelly, the"a bit of overtime and I'm set."
"a bit of overtime and I'm set."
Jellypexhe's only got one coat
he's only got one coat
Jigsawwhenever he was given a difficult job he went to pieces
whenever he was given a difficult job he went to pieces
Judge, thealways wanted to open a case
always wanted to open a case
Kitten, the"Is me owl feller down there"
"Is me owl feller down there"
Lame Kangaroohasn't had a jump(sex) in years
hasn't had a jump(sex) in years
Larry the Lambmeek and quiet. When the barking Dog and the Lamb were joined by a third docker, the latter was called The Shepherd
meek and quiet. When the barking Dog and the Lamb were joined by a third docker, the latter was called The Shepherd
Lazy Solicitorhe went to sleep on a case
he went to sleep on a case
Lenient Judgea foreman who keeps saying "let dat guy go." A guy is part of a sling for cargo
a foreman who keeps saying "let dat guy go." A guy is part of a sling for cargo
Linohe's always "on the floor"(short of money)
he's always "on the floor"(short of money)
Little Red Riding Hoodheading away from work toward the canteen, says, "I'm going to me grannies."
heading away from work toward the canteen, says, "I'm going to me grannies."
London Foghe never lifts
he never lifts
Lonely Catasking for his father, a fellow dock-worker, says "Me-owl feller down dur?"
asking for his father, a fellow dock-worker, says "Me-owl feller down dur?"
Lonely Baker, the"Now the kids ave left, there's only me and the tart"
"Now the kids ave left, there's only me and the tart"
Lord Nelson"Keep your eye out for the boss."
"Keep your eye out for the boss."
Maid Marionthe nights will save me
the nights will save me
Man From Planet X, thesays "What on earth is this all about?"
says "What on earth is this all about?"
Man in Black, thealways going to a funeral
always going to a funeral
Mangy Cat, thekicked out of every yard on the docks
kicked out of every yard on the docks
Mangy Kittentells the bus driver he hasn't go no fur
tells the bus driver he hasn't go no fur
Midwifehe's always on deliveries
he's always on deliveries
Mirror, thesays "what you do reflects on me."
says "what you do reflects on me."
Nudist, thesays "the bare thing suits me.'
says "the bare thing suits me.'
Olympic Torch, thenever goes out
never goes out
Parish Priestworks every Sunday, when the pay for overtime is high; or: has always got his mate on his knees
works every Sunday, when the pay for overtime is high; or: has always got his mate on his knees
Park Keeper, thesays "mind the swing."
says "mind the swing."
Pearly King, thebecause he always would say about a given job, "we got paid buttons for that ship."
because he always would say about a given job, "we got paid buttons for that ship."
Phil (Fill) the Cotthe father of many
the father of many
Pianothinks he's put upon, that they're playing on him
thinks he's put upon, that they're playing on him
Plastic Surgeon, thea really good grafter
a really good grafter
Poet: "This job is just like eaven/aven done a tap since alf eleven,"…
to which the boss is supposed to have responded, "Ickory dickory dock,/Pick yeh cards up at five o'clock!"
Pontius Pilatealways washing his hands
always washing his hands
Popeyedocker known for smoking pipes
docker known for smoking pipes
President, thealways in the White (ozzy white) House
always in the White (ozzy white) House
Quiet Man, thenever says a thing.
never says a thing.
Rattlerhas false teeth
has false teeth
Full A–Z entry →Reluctant Plumberhe won't do a tap
he won't do a tap
Robert Mitchumwalks about with a coat slung over his shoulder, smoking a cigarette
walks about with a coat slung over his shoulder, smoking a cigarette
Sam Goldwyn"Lissen, lads, I'll put yer in the picture."
"Lissen, lads, I'll put yer in the picture."
Sammy the SealI think I'll float
I think I'll float
Scottish Stevedore"go ahead with pipes and drum"
"go ahead with pipes and drum"
Sell the Bedalways on nights
always on nights
Sheriffforeman who says, "What's the hold up, lads?"
foreman who says, "What's the hold up, lads?"
Sherlockalways investigating, but doesn't do that much. His sidekick is known as Doctor Watson
always investigating, but doesn't do that much. His sidekick is known as Doctor Watson
sick pigeon, thenever leaves the loft
never leaves the loft
Sick Lobster, thealways absent from work because "the two nippers were bad"
always absent from work because "the two nippers were bad"
Sore Fingeralways wants sympathy
always wants sympathy
SpacemanSays he is going to Mars (ma's) for dinner
Says he is going to Mars (ma's) for dinner
Stanley Matthewsmanning a hatch with three others, he says "I'll take dis corner."
manning a hatch with three others, he says "I'll take dis corner."
Stirling Mosscalled that because of the skidmarks on his underpants
called that because of the skidmarks on his underpants
Storm Lamp, thenever goes out
never goes out
Surgeonkeeps saying "cut that out."
keeps saying "cut that out."
Table Jellythree more nights and I'm all set
three more nights and I'm all set
Telegraph Boy, the" Send more wires in."
" Send more wires in."
Tit (h)ead or eggheada bald docker
a bald docker
Undertaker, thesays "lay em out over there."
says "lay em out over there."
Undertakersays "lay em out over there."
says "lay em out over there."
Unknown Soldierwore a long khaki army surplus overcoat, and was a loner
wore a long khaki army surplus overcoat, and was a loner
Van Goghalways says "I've got one 'ere."
always says "I've got one 'ere."
Vicarkeeps saying "Eh--men..." Hard taskmaster: he'll have you on your knees
keeps saying "Eh--men..." Hard taskmaster: he'll have you on your knees
Virgin, theI've never done this before
I've never done this before
Wallpaperhe's up the wall
he's up the wall
Wedding Cake, thealways has a wedding to go to
always has a wedding to go to
Weight Lifterhe waits while you lift
he waits while you lift
Wet Matchnever stikes
never stikes
White Hunter, theminesweeper of ozzy white
minesweeper of ozzy white
White Hunter, thealways looking for six good skins
always looking for six good skins
Wonder Boya looter. He looks at cargo and says "I wonder what's in this, I wonder what's in that."
a looter. He looks at cargo and says "I wonder what's in this, I wonder what's in that."
AND FINALLY
A docker's jibe at a job checker"Your wouldn't pass the salt."
"Your wouldn't pass the salt."