Why`s it called Manchester???
 

Dear Forum,
Hoping somone out there can answer my question. I work at Target in Robina, Gold Coast, and customers keep asking me to direct them to Manchester. Surely not the Manchster I know, and after asking some of the staff, I found out that manchester means towels, bedding, linen etc. Does anyone know why. Sorry to have such a sad question to try and get you guys to answer, Regards Louisa.

Re: Why`s it called Manchester???
 

OOOOO OOO OOOO I know this one, thanks to Mairi (Vegimite Kids)

It's because in the early days all the 'linens' etc where brought over frm the cooton mills in Manchester!!

Jill

Re: Why`s it called Manchester???
 

:D This one had me confused for a while - I thought Australians must be a Man United loving nation..........

I was told that the home of linen making back in the olden days was "Manchester" in the UK so that's where the name comes from. Might be totally wrong of course, but that's what I was told. :)

Re: Why`s it called Manchester???
 

SNAP - two of us can't be wrong

Jill :)

Re: Why`s it called Manchester???
 

Think I have a problem with my 'o'

Jill

Re: Why`s it called Manchester???
 

Manchester (i.e. the city) was a big centre of the cotton industry in the late 18th and the 19th century, and into the 20th century as well, and so cotton goods (principally sheets and towels) were given that name too: 'Manchester goods' became simply 'manchester'. The term used to be used in Britain as well, although it has fallen into complete disuse there.

The term is still used in Australia, but as far as I can make out its use is totally confined to shops, principally department stores (the manchester department - as you say, being asked by someone to 'direct me to manchester', meaning the manchester department). I don't think people use it of the sheets and towels in their house.

The use of the word 'linen' to refer to sheets and towels is even sillier, because apart from tea towels, hardly any sheets and towels are made of linen these days.

Re: Why`s it called Manchester???
 

And what about lolly's? :D

Re: Why`s it called Manchester???
 

Hello,
Just a little point but in the 18th cent the linnen trade was not in Manchester but in Oldham which is about 10 miles outside the city centre. They still have a lot of the old mills standing, some are ruins and some have been turned into offices.
Not that it really matters but i thought i would just say :)