TOSHER Meaning and
Definition
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Tosher is a noun that refers to an individual who engages in the activity of toshing, which is the act of scavenging through sewers or drains in search of valuable items or waste that can be sold or repurposed. Primarily British in origin, this term has historical connotations and has been used since the 18th century to describe urban workers or impoverished individuals who would navigate the underground tunnels of cities, particularly London, to find discarded or lost objects.
The practice of toshing was often regarded as a means of survival for these individuals, who would look for salvageable materials like coins, jewelry, or even coal. Due to the hazardous conditions they faced, such as encountering raw sewage, rats, or submerged debris, toshers were often considered daring or even reckless. This occupation was commonly associated with the lower social classes and those struggling financially, embodying the resourcefulness and resilience of those forced into such extreme measures.
While toshing itself may have diminished over time due to improvements in sanitation systems and changes in waste disposal methods, the term "tosher" is still used today to refer to anyone who engages in similar underground scavenging activities or those who search through refuse in urban areas. The word carries a connotation of grimy, tenacious determination, highlighting the industriousness and perhaps even desperation of those willing to venture into such unsavory surroundings in search of items of value.
Common Misspellings for TOSHER
- rosher
- gosher
- yosher
- 6osher
- 5osher
- tksher
- tlsher
- tpsher
- t0sher
- t9sher
- toaher
- tozher
- toxher
- toeher
- towher
- tosber
- tosner
- tosjer
- tosuer
- tosyer
Etymology of TOSHER
The word "tosher" originated in the 19th century in London, England and was commonly used to describe individuals who scavenged through sewers, drains, and other filthy places in search of valuable items. The etymology of "tosher" is believed to derive from the slang term "tosh", which meant nether regions or genitalia. It referred to the fact that these scavengers worked in the underground, grimy areas of the city. Over time, "tosher" became associated specifically with those who searched for valuable items in the sewers, drains, and cesspits of London.
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