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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: amp001 on Friday 09 April 10 19:30 BST (UK)

Title: Mopper and bobber
Post by: amp001 on Friday 09 April 10 19:30 BST (UK)

Can someone tell me what a mopper and bobber is please. This is stated as my gran and great grandfathers profession on a marriage certificate. I think that they worked in a factory at that time
Thanks
Ann

Title: Re: Mopper and bobber
Post by: lochee on Friday 09 April 10 19:39 BST (UK)

Hi,
There were two types of bobber
1) A person who polished metals.
2) A person who helped unload fishing boats.
Sorry can't help with the mopper
Bob

Title: Re: Mopper and bobber
Post by: amp001 on Friday 09 April 10 20:01 BST (UK)

Thanks Bob. As they worked in a factory I guess it was something to do with polishing metals then.
Thanks Ann

Title: Re: Mopper and bobber
Post by: stanmapstone on Friday 09 April 10 22:21 BST (UK)

Mopper is just another name for a polisher.
From "A Dictionary of Occupational Terms"
A Mopper, aka Grease Mopper was a polisher who used a mop of calico or other fabric, dressed with abrasive or polishing composition or grease.

A Bobber, aka buffer, buffing machinist, removed surface irregularities and polished metal articles by holding them against a power-driven revolving wheel, the edge of which was covered with cloth or leather and sprinkled with abrasive powder or polishing compound.


Stan

Title: Re: Mopper and bobber
Post by: amp001 on Saturday 10 April 10 10:26 BST (UK)

Thankyou Stan, much appreciated
Ann

Title: Re: Mopper and bobber
Post by: giraffe on Tuesday 01 June 10 22:36 BST (UK)

Thank you Stan, answered another query of mine - one of my ancestors was described as a 'copper nickel bobber'.
giraffe