Washer upper ?

Question

I am thinking about how to form a noun meaning "one-who-does-something" from a phrasal verb (eg. "wash up") ... the convention seems to be to add -er to the verb as well as the preposition (eg. "washer upper"). This sounds weird to me, but better than "washer up" or "wash upper". (I also know someone who would say "washer upperer" :^p)
But applying this rule to some other phrasal verbs starts getting ridiculous ...
"giver upper"
"putter downer"
"goer outer"
"runner awayer"
Any thoughts ?
David Fisher
Sydney, Australia

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]I am thinking about how to form a noun meaning "one-who-does-something" from a phrasal verb (eg. "wash up") ... the ... to me, but better than "washer up" or "wash upper". (I also know someone who would say "washer upperer" :[/nq]^p)
[nq:1]But applying this rule to some other phrasal verbs starts getting ridiculous ... "giver upper" "putter downer" "goer outer" "runner awayer"[/nq]
"Dishwasher" would usually cover it internationally, though there'd have to be something to show you didn't mean a machine. (Americans don't, I think, use "wash up" in this way.)
We do say "washer-upper" and even "washer-upperer", but isn't that generally meant as mild humour? "Washer-up" must surely be the only form one could use in formal writing.
Further complication in the Aus use of "washer"="face-cloth", which isn't recognized in European English.
Mike.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I am thinking about how to form a noun meaning ... (I also know someone who would say "washer upperer" :[/nq]^p)
[nq:2]But applying this rule to some other phrasal verbs starts getting ridiculous ... "giver upper" "putter downer" "goer outer" "runner awayer"[/nq]
[nq:1]"Dishwasher" would usually cover it internationally, though there'd have to be something to show you didn't mean a machine. (Americans ... could use in formal writing. Further complication in the Aus use of "washer"="face-cloth", which isn't recognized in European English. Mike.[/nq]
There used to be an occupation called knocker upper. The person would tap on bedroom windows with a long pole.

Usenet · Answer

Irwell infrared:
[nq:1]There used to be an occupation called knocker upper. The person would tap on bedroom windows with a long pole.[/nq]
What light through yonder window breaks? 'Tis not a light, 'tis a pole, and Juliet is about to be knocked up.

Peter Moylan invalid@invalid http://eepjm.newcastle.edu.au (OS/2 and eCS information and software)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]know someone who would say "washer upperer" :[/nq]^p)
[nq:1]But applying this rule to some other phrasal verbs starts getting ridiculous ...[/nq]
They're all supposed to sound rediculous.

Wake

Usenet · Answer

It already is ridiculous before you start worrying about other verbs.
[nq:2]"Dishwasher" would usually cover it internationally, though there'd have to ... (Americans don't, I think, use "wash up" in this way.)[/nq]
I guess the equivalent American expression would be "doer theer disheser"..
[nq:1]There used to be an occupation called knocker upper.[/nq]
Which could mean one who ups knockers..
[nq:1]The person would tap on bedroom windows with a long pole.[/nq]
With any particular motive?
Stewart.

My e-mail is valid but not my primary mailbox, aside from its being the unfortunate victim of intensive mail-bombing at the moment. Please keep replies on the 'group where everyone may benefit.

Usenet · Answer

The precursor of the alarm clock.
In the days before I got disillusioned with politics, knocker-uppers in the UK were the party faithful who went around on election day making sure their party's supporters actually got to the polling-station to vote. They may even still be called that.

Katy Jennison
spamtrap: remove the first two letters after the @

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]In the days before I got disillusioned with politics, knocker-uppers in the UK were the party faithful who went around on election day making sure their party's supporters actually got to the polling-station to vote. They may even still be called that.[/nq]
The legendary Cook County Democratic Party organization (Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.) has something like this, except that they're "digger-uppers" who go around to the cemeteries and graveyards on election day.

Usenet · Answer

Areff filted:
[nq:1]The legendary Cook County Democratic Party organization (Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.) has something like this, except that they're "digger-uppers" who go around to the cemeteries and graveyards on election day.[/nq]
Apropos of nothing in particular, a fellow I work with was saying yesterday that a headline he'd like to see some day soon is "Kerry takes Presidency in landslide", followed by an article explaining that it wasn't an election but a literal landslide that eliminated the competition..r

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I am thinking about how to form a noun meaning "one-who-does-something"from a phrasal verb (eg. "wash up") ... the convention ... soundsweird to me, but better than "washer up" or "wash upper". (I also know someonewho would say "washer upperer" :[/nq]^p)

I found a list of archaic occupations at
http://www.cpcug.org/user/jlacombe/terms.html which includes the following:

BALLER UP - assisted the potter by measuring out the ***** of clay BATTER OUT - sliced a short cylinder of clay (a bat) from a "pug" and threw it onto a mold shaped for the face of a ceramic plate

CLIPPER ON / CLIPPER OFF - attached the coal carts to the wire or rope which was used to drag the carts to and from the coal face

HANGER-ON / HOOKER-ON - hung corves (originally baskets) on rope at the pit-bottom; later used for man who pushed tubs of coal into the mine-shaft cage
PINNER UP - dressmakers assistant or one who sold broadsheets or ballards in the streets
TUCKER IN - maid who attended the bedroom and "tucked in the bedclothes"
Not what I would have expected, but there you go ...
There are some other cute occupations listed on this page, too:
ANKLE BEATER - young person who helped to drive the cattle to market

BATMAN - officers servant in the army
GERUND GRINDER - Latin instructor (!)
GUINEA PIG - an unattached, or roving person whose fee was usally a guinea

HECKLER - one who separated the coarse part of flax or hemp with a hackle, an instrument with teeth in linen industry
HUCKSTER - peddler
MANGO - slave dealer
NECESSARY WOMAN - servant responsible for emptying and cleaning chamber pots

PUNKY - chimney sweep
SCHRIMPSCHONGER - artisan who carves in bone, ivory, or wood

SEWER RAT - bricklayer who specialised in making and repairing sewers and tunnels
SLUBBER DOFFER - removed the bobbins from the spindles in the mills

TOE RAG - one who worked at the docks as a corn porter

VULCAN - blacksmith
David Fisher
Sydney, Australia

Usenet · Answer

David Fisher filted:
[nq:1]ANKLE BEATER - young person who helped to drive the cattle to market BATMAN - officers servant in the army ... spindles in the mills TOE RAG - one who worked at the docks as a corn porter VULCAN - blacksmith[/nq]
These days I'd be afraid to use any of these terms to refer to someone in the corresponding profession who might actually hear me..

Yet my employer sees nothing wrong with telling me on form after form that my profession is "PROG ****"..r

Washer upper ?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions