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Thread: Who was Joe Gerk?

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    Senior Member julieoapw's Avatar
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    Default Who was Joe Gerk?

    A friend of my Mum's has told me that Joe Gerk's is slang for Walton Prison and asked if I know who Joe Gerk was. I'd never heard the term before but it seems that it is a Scouse term for Walton. Does anyone know who Joe Gerk was or is it perhaps rhyming slang? My curiosity has been piqued now! Thanks.

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    Came fourth...now what? Oudeis's Avatar
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    How right you are.
    'Gerk', appears to be a slice of unadorned bread, but knock yourself out looking through this lot...

    http://www.markbarratt.co.uk/index.htm


    This is one source. There are, as I understand it three volumes...

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Talk-Proper-.../dp/090136701X

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    Senior Member lindylou's Avatar
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    I've heard of it, but not sure who Joe Gerk is !

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    Senior Member julieoapw's Avatar
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    I had a look at that Oudeis and it seems:
    gerk butty: slice of plain, uncoated bread
    So maybe Joe Gerk's is where the prisoners would eat dry bread and water (in the old days!). The mystery thickens!
    thanks for your help anyway.

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    Senior Member az_gila's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Oudeis View Post
    This is one source. There are, as I understand it three volumes...

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Talk-Proper-.../dp/090136701X
    It's not in the Volume 2 that I have....

    They are old books, Volume 2 was released in 1966.

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    Came fourth...now what? Oudeis's Avatar
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    [What 'button' did I press, that my post was lost?...I'll try again]

    He cites volumes 2 & 3 as references, what can I say?

    Is there a reference for, "Gerk" in your copy?

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    Senior Member az_gila's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Oudeis View Post
    [What 'button' did I press, that my post was lost?...I'll try again]

    He cites volumes 2 & 3 as references, what can I say?

    Is there a reference for, "Gerk" in your copy?
    Oops... mine is actually "The ABZ of Scouse - How to talk proper in Liverpool" also edited by Fritz Spiegl.

    It's actually a "cacological companion" to the "Lern Yerself Scouse" book.

    Similar, but not the same...

    PS - I must admit I had to look up "cacological" -

    defectively produced speech; socially unacceptable diction

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    Came fourth...now what? Oudeis's Avatar
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    I've had the odd cacological companion myself over the years.

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    Senior Member wsteve55's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Oudeis View Post
    I've had the odd cacological companion myself over the years.



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