honeydew dipper

A person who would use a bucket on the end of a rope to dip into a cesspool and remove "honeydew" (raw sewage) to transfer to a container (usually a large wooden barrel) on wheels and remove from premises and dump elsewhere. Late Victorian euphemism. Also, slang for a stupid, unskilled person; similar to a "ditch digger."

He's so unskilled he'd have difficulty finding a job as a honeydew dipper.

1👍 1👎

honeydew

Late 19th century slang for the muck, or raw sewage, in a cesspool. Late Victorian euphemism.

It's time to empty the cesspool, the honeydew is nearing the top.

3👍 1👎