Neckerchief

[stephen1965]

Hello. This might be a bit obscure but I wondered if anyone had knowledge of the meanings or derivations of rag-and-bone mens' neckerchiefs. (A rag and bone man is a scrap metal dealer or sometimes general second hand junk dealer. Sometimes called a tinker and sometimes associated with Romanys). Anyway, someone was telling me about the various meanings of polka dotted kerchiefs, re. colours and pattern of dots etc but I can't recall the info or get in touch. Can't find much on search engines either. In the pic shown, Wilfred Brambell (English actor) has a red kerchief with dots in threes. Any ideas?

 

[yoonie]

I always thought they were almost like a work version of an ascot, the way a cowboy hat is a work version of a fedora in that they're designed for utility, but to evoke the image of a formal dress.

As far as I know, the neckerchiefs were used a bit like a sweatband.

 

[stephen1965]

Thanks yoonie. Indeed I think you're right that they are a utility article but I had a conversation with a guy who had done a lot of research into this particular area and he claimed to have been told that there were a number of existing styles and colours that were like a kind of 'tinker's code' or could be read by people in the know as signifying particular types of affiliation to types craft or somesuch. I guess 'gangs', particularly in the U.S wear coloured bandanas in a similar way or so I gather, not being from the U.S. But in England I associate them with gentlemen of the road/travellers/rag-and-bone men who seem to have a particular code. I just wish I could remember what what my aquaintance said but I'd had a glass or two of shandy at the time..[huh]

 

[Inusuit]

Interesting OP and first response. Stephan1965, I can’t help with your question, although it would not surprise me if there was some clan or family origin, or other code to different patterns in neckerchiefs. Not uncommon for an ethnic, cultural, or class minority to develop systems of non-verbal communication for use around the dominant majority. In the Great Depression (not this one, the one in the 1930’s), people unemployed and on the road would chalk pictograms on fences or gates to let others know about a generous homeowner or a malicious cop. A cat was the symbol for a person who might give a poor person a meal or handout.

To yooie’s response, I question that a cowboy’s hat is or was “a work version of a fedora designed for utility but to evoke the image of a formal dress.” My dad was a cowboy for all his 93 years. At any one time, he owned at least four very similar Stetson “cowboy” hats. One lived in the box on the closet shelf and went to church on Sunday. One hung on a rack in his bedroom and was worn to the cattle auction and to town on Saturday. One hung on the elk horns by the back door, ready for daily wear. The bottom of the line stayed in the barn and he wore it when he greased the windmill. I don’t think he intended to evoke anything, although he appreciated the difference between “everyday” and “Sunday” attire.

A learned paper could be written on the use of the “neckerchief” in cowboy culture. Certainly more than a sweatband, it could be pressed into service as a bandage for man or beast, a water filter, a dust mask, hand towel, insulation (around the neck in cold weather or in the crown of the hat in hot), pot holder, temporary tack repair part, trail marker, or lunch wrapper. In a pinch, you could blow your nose in it.

Just an off-topic verbose ramble. Please excuse.

 

[stephen1965]

Not uncommon for an ethnic, cultural, or class minority to develop systems of non-verbal communication for use around the dominant majority. In the Great Depression (not this one, the one in the 1930’s), people unemployed and on the road would chalk pictograms on fences or gates to let others know about a generous homeowner or a malicious cop. A cat was the symbol for a person who might give a poor person a meal or handout.

Generally referred to as the hobo code I think:

The Roma ("Gypsies") have been using a system of symbols to mark this kind of information for hundreds of years. In the Roman language, the markers are called patrin (which I think means "leaf"). Patrin were markers or signs or messages–often made of twigs, flowers and other natural materials–found at the roadside, sometimes tied with a thin ribbon or cloth, and used by traveling Gypsies to give directions and advice to other Gypsies.

Neckerchief wearers
Welsh Romany:

Rag and bone men:

morris dancers:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00460/Morris-Dance_460470a.jpg

 

[Evan Everhart]

Generally referred to as the hobo code I think:

The Roma ("Gypsies") have been using a system of symbols to mark this kind of information for hundreds of years. In the Roman language, the markers are called patrin (which I think means "leaf"). Patrin were markers or signs or messages–often made of twigs, flowers and other natural materials–found at the roadside, sometimes tied with a thin ribbon or cloth, and used by traveling Gypsies to give directions and advice to other Gypsies.

Neckerchief wearers
Welsh Romany:

Rag and bone men:

morris dancers:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00460/Morris-Dance_460470a.jpg

Did you ever get back in touch with the fellow who was dissertating on neck-kerchieves and scarves? Where would one acquire such a neck cloth? I live in America; California and all that one can generally acquire in the line of neck-cloths are those same old boorish "bandanas" which have the same bloody pattern every time. (at least they're available in black and other colours now though I only use the black ones for work wear)