East End Photographs and Drawings

[Archaic]

Knock-Knock. Who's There?

I came across a photo of a knocker-up in action. He's using a long stick to tap at the window and signal the occupant.

I admit to being bewildered the first time I heard this term. In the US to "knock someone up" is to impregnate them... is this meaning used in the UK too?

There must have been interesting mix-ups and maybe even brawls when the knocker-up accidentally knocked at the wrong window and woke its rather unhappy occupants.

Archaic

[DrummondStreet]

Archaic:

I believe that "to knock up" someone in the UK means to wake them up. Interestingly, I learned that from an episode of Frasier. You are from Seattle, no?

"Knocking up" might also be used describe an accidental pregnancy, but I lived in England for about 8 months and never heard anyone use the expression in any context.

[Cogidubnus]

As regards pregnancy it was formerly in UK use but no longer seems to be...

Dave

[Carol]

As regards pregnancy it was formerly in UK use but no longer seems to be...

Dave

I can remember the time when unmarried girls could get 'knocked up'. Nowadays, as many couples don't get married but live together and have families, I guess that could be why 'knocked up' has gone out of fashion.

As Archaic says it is still in use in America perhaps the British 'borrowed' it from the Yanks during the 2nd World War when they were 'over-paid, over- sexed and over here'. (Sorry Archaic - couldn't resist it!).

Carol

[Stephen Thomas]

As Archaic says it is still in use in America perhaps the British 'borrowed' it from the Yanks during the 2nd World War when they were 'over-paid, over- sexed and over here'. (Sorry Archaic - couldn't resist it!).

UK ladies back then liked to wear their 'American Dress'

One yank and it was off.

[Archaic]

UK ladies back then liked to wear their 'American Dress'

One yank and it was off.

Good one, Stephen!

Archaic

[Harry the Hawker]

Could anyone tell me - or even direct me to a picture of - Bishopsgate Nick as it looked around 1888?
I would be eternally grateful!
Yours,
Harry

[Robert]

Dusty Springfield did a bit of knocking up :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDKBpwT3uUE

[Cogidubnus]

Sadly I remember it all too well...67 or 68 I'd guess...Thank you for reminding me (***tard)

Best wishes (through gritted teeth)

Dave

[Monty]

Could anyone tell me - or even direct me to a picture of - Bishopsgate Nick as it looked around 1888?
I would be eternally grateful!
Yours,
Harry

There you go Harry.

Bishopsgate Police Station c1866 and c1901.

Monty

[Cogidubnus]

Blimey Monty...Where'd you dig that out from mate?

All the best

Dave

[Monty]

My own archive.

1866 is a copy of a print I was given as a gift, however the image shown is courtesy of Rob Clack.

1901 is from Living London and is courtesy of Philip Hutchinson and Rob Clack. They kindly donated it to me for my 2007 conference talk and is in their book Jack the Rippers London: Then and now.

Monty

[Cogidubnus]

As the youngsters say, "Respect"

Dave

[Monty]

The respect should really go to Rob and Phil.

Monty

[Archaic]

Rescue That Horse!

Hi Monty.

This photograph looks to me like a horse that was seized by the police on the grounds of cruelty- at least, I certainly hope that's what it is! It appears to have just been taken out of harness and is still wearing blinkers.

The horse is terribly thin (look at his poor skinny hips), and he has hooves so long and untrimmed that they almost curl up in the front! He must have had a terrible time pulling a load on the streets.

Was there any caption for this photo?

Thanks,
Archaic