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Old 25th Jun 2021, 19:02
  #609 (permalink)  
SLXOwft
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Hampshire
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Originally Posted by The Oberon
Question, all the Whites I knew in the RAF were Chalky. I had a couple of R.N. Mates who told me that in the R.N., Whites were called Knocker, why?
I have heard three explanations:
1) Like many RN nicknames it derives from a once famous boxer, in this case called Knocker White due to the number of opponents he KOed.
2) Prospective customers of a certain dhobi shack were assured by the inhabitant of Chinese origin that he would knock their clothes white.
3) A miller's assistant was known as a knocker white because they were often covered in flour dust. Given the precarious and seasonal nature of their employment many ended up joining the Andrew and the name of the trade stuck.

I'm sure there are more.
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