-
Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.
We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team
Higgler
- Thread starter Alf
- Start date
brummie nick
master brummie
I think its peddler, or someone who trades door to door, you see it as an occupation on old census's.
Nick
Nick
R
Rod
Guest
It's one who Haggles over a price or prices
brummie nick
master brummie
Wouldn't that be a haggler?
J
Jerry
Guest
In the Oxford English Dictionary it's someone who haggles or higgles - same thing
In Websters American dictionary it's a peddler or huckster
In Websters American dictionary it's a peddler or huckster
R
Rod
Guest
It would be a haggler yes, but it would also be a higgler O0
brummie nick
master brummie
OK then lets 'haggle' about it, 
here's an example of it being used as an occupation.
Joseph WILSON Head M 59 M Carrier Coal Higgler Atherstone-WAR
here's an example of it being used as an occupation.Joseph WILSON Head M 59 M Carrier Coal Higgler Atherstone-WAR
rowan
Born a Brummie
"A "Higgler" was an itinerant dealer or peddler. Theword has survived in the West Indies, especially Jamaica,
in the sense of a market trader, but has disappeared every where else.
Just a century ago, most English market towns had Higglers---middlemen who went round thefarms buying up produce such as rabbits, eggs and cheese. In return they supplied goods the household needed.
Some of the tradewas done by barterrather than by money changing hands, but all involved haggling, which is where the name came from. Higgler is just a variant spelling of haggler."
The above, and much more, was in the Daily Mail yesterday
in the sense of a market trader, but has disappeared every where else.
Just a century ago, most English market towns had Higglers---middlemen who went round thefarms buying up produce such as rabbits, eggs and cheese. In return they supplied goods the household needed.
Some of the tradewas done by barterrather than by money changing hands, but all involved haggling, which is where the name came from. Higgler is just a variant spelling of haggler."
The above, and much more, was in the Daily Mail yesterday
B
badger
Guest
One of my ancestors is listed as a "Higgler" and another as a "Higglers Carter" (who presumably drove the cart that the Higgler haggled on)
Higgler definition.
I work for a UK/Jamaican learning exchange project. The word "higgler" has most definitely a Jamaican ancestry. From authoritative sources:"....the country higgler,usually a woman of the neighbourhood...who walks to market and buys and sells produce along the way" (Dictionary of Jamaican English,University of the West Indies,Kingston Jamaica,2002). Also "higglers,the street vendors of Kingston...(who) each have their own musical cry which rises and falls with a particular inflection,generally with an upward turn at the end" (Jamaica Talk,Macmillan publ.,1971). Will try and find a photo or drawing from popular Jamaican media if anyone is interested.
I work for a UK/Jamaican learning exchange project. The word "higgler" has most definitely a Jamaican ancestry. From authoritative sources:"....the country higgler,usually a woman of the neighbourhood...who walks to market and buys and sells produce along the way" (Dictionary of Jamaican English,University of the West Indies,Kingston Jamaica,2002). Also "higglers,the street vendors of Kingston...(who) each have their own musical cry which rises and falls with a particular inflection,generally with an upward turn at the end" (Jamaica Talk,Macmillan publ.,1971). Will try and find a photo or drawing from popular Jamaican media if anyone is interested.