IRL-MAYO-L Archives
Archiver > IRL-MAYO > 2007-01 > 1167924579
From: "" <>
Subject: [IRL-MAYO] Flax Hecklers (was Re: Co. Mayo Flax Growers List of1796)
Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:29:39 -0000
This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Vance
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.ireland.may.general/3104.21.1/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
Jean,
I don't have any info on John Vance specifically, but FYI, a flax heckler was someone in the textile trade who teased or combed out flax or hemp fibres. I could be mistaken, but John therefore would probably not be on the Flax Growers list if he was a tradesman in involved in processing the flax after it was harvested.
According to Wikipedia "The additional meaning, to interrupt speakers with awkward or embarrassing questions, was added in Scotland, and specifically perhaps in early nineteenth century Dundee, a famously radical town where the hecklers who combed the flax had established a reputation as the most radical and belligerent element in the workforce. In the heckling factory, one heckler would read out the day's news while the others worked, to the accompaniment of interruptions and furious debate."
Regards,
Joe
This thread: