Wigan Album

What a response! There can't possibly be a better image of the Knotter used by Maureen during her service as a Mill Girl.

Not a piece of beautiful golden jewellery..but I loved mine.

Just found this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DINK44_u1f0

Excuse me saying this but was the term 'get knotted' actually from doing this job!? The thought just occurred to me!

Veronica - 'Get Knotted' might have had an airing in the Mills, but being subjected to The Cat seems to be its true source - your off the beaten track, so to speak.

I just watched the video, Ron, and it was quite some performance; click-click, job done.

Those hand knotters were still in use in the 1970s, some time ago, I met an old acquaintance who worked in Leigh, I think the place was a branch of Eckersleys, they were still used on old cone winding machines.

Of course ...the cat o'nine tails! Learn something everyday Philip.. ,mind you I would have considered myself being punishedif I had stayed winding them bobbins.

The knotters where being used at wm tattons in golborne in the 1970s

I understand the term "get a cop on" meaning "shift yourself" originated in cotton mills, does anybody know if this is correct?

A.W. - At the risk of sounding just a little bit like the Bruce Forsyth of old, 'Cop' is used in many a 'well-known phrase or saying' and, also, recognised as being 'thread wound on a spindle'.

The term "get knotted" comes from dog mating, the dog can't remove it's penis from the bitch for some time after so they are knotted.

Joseph: Thank you for your honest bit of information, I'am sure Veronica never thought of that one.

I used to work at trencher field mill on cone winding and used one of these in the 60 s

Thank you Joseph - its definitely not what I expected.

It would seem we're never to old to learn Veronica. More like being subjected to the Dog than the Cat 'ey Mr Gormley!

Una Maguire, a spokeswoman for Carnival Films i.e., Downton Abbey, maintains that 'Get knotted' is 19th century naval slang. But what about Ron Hunt's youtube suggestion! 'Boyce Weaver's Knotter' will also find it.

While I agree it does sound like a Naval term, "Get Knotted" in dog breeding goes much further back than the 19th century.

Phillip Gormley: Hi Phillip looking at the different descriptions I think I like Joseph's, it's more colourful, more discriptive, more how can I say nearer the bone so to speak,I just hope Veronica doesn't ask to find what a stitch in time means that could end up rather embarrassing, any way I do hope your keeping well and your out with the water colours, you should be displaying them Phillip.

Hi I just Googled Knotters out of interest as I was cleaning one I have inherited from my Mum Muriel. Mum worked at the Argyle mill in Failsworth during the 1950's. The knotter I have is in good worling order and "lives" in a mill issued tin box. You're welcome to to veiw as I live in Leigh, get back to me. Incidently when I visited Trencherfield mill some years back I was immediately taken back to the Argyle and the guide told me the engines were the same make with Wigans being "22 thousand horse!" Steve

I forgot to put that the Argyl mill was in Failsworth, Manchester. Demolished in the 70's I think. S