Originally Posted by
PhilipG
Why were they called rag and bone men?
Yes, I remember them, but why bones?
Before R. Whites, the lemonade came from Schofields in Dalrymple Street, off Scotland Road.
A great red-brick building.
I took some photos - I'll try and dig them out.
Hi Philip
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I would suggest that the rag-and-bone man probably sold the bones to a knacker, as in "knacker's yard" where old horses were sent, to make glue. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rag_and_bone_man which seems to confirm what I am saying. Also
"Final collection", a 2006 Guardian article by Jeremy Kuper on one of the last London "totters" or rag-and-bone men. Kuper quotes Alf Masterson, the last documented London rag-and-bone man, as saying, "If people had roast joints, the rag-and-bone men would collect the leftovers to make glue and soap. Bones were used for oil and soap."
Chris
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