Mar 21, 2020 · What is a tow-rag? As can be seen in the video below, close to the ship’s head — the toilets in the bow or “head” of the ship — there was a long rope ending in a short rag that hung over the side into the water.

Apr 2, 2020 · After having completed their daily evacuations, sailors would engage in ablutions using a rag. This rag (or rags, plural, I would hope) was then tied to a rope and dragged behind the ship in order to clean it (or them). Hence, tow rag.

Feb 4, 2011 · This was a long piece of rope, either frayed at the end, or with a bit of rag tied to the end of it, permanently fixed to a ship, which was dangled into the sea, and therefore, towed, next to the wooden plank with a hole in it which was secured over the edge of the ship, used as a toilet.

Apr 25, 2024 · As toilet paper had not yet been invented, sailors generally cleaned themselves using a communal “tow rag” 7 —usually a hemp woven rag known as “tow”, even today—or, sometimes, a brush attached to the end of a long rope extending from the …

Paper was far too expensive to use, so old rope, known as tow, was used and was then washed out and kept in one's pocket until needed again. Hence the derisory term to call someone a tow-rag.: : : : I am no expert, but paper wasn't expensive in the 18th-19th Centuries, surely?

Oct 7, 2019 · That classically British insult of 'toe rag' has a very different meaning when you discover its origins. The tow rag was a long piece of rope, either frayed at the end, or with a bit of fabric tied to the end of it. This was found near the heads (toilets) on a ship.

you tow rag… often spelt as toe rag or toerag. originally was tow rag from the red rag tied to the end of a truck carrying a long load (in england) or the rag tied to the rope towing another vehicle so people would not decapitate themselves by going through the gap.

Jun 13, 2022 · What is that? A Tow-rag (or toerag) was a long piece of rope, either frayed at one end or with a rag tied to it that was permanently fixed to a ship (next to a wooden plank with a hole in it secured...

Tow Rag meaning Means a low-life, scum, or loser.Originally a British Royal Naval term. This was a long piece of rope, either frayed at the end, or with a bit of rag tied to the end of it, permanently fixed to a ship, which was dangled into the sea, and therefore, towed, next to the wooden plank with a hole in it which was secured over the edge ...

Paper was far too expensive to use, so old rope, known as tow, was used and was then washed out and kept in one's pocket until needed again. Hence the derisory term to call someone a tow-rag.: I am no expert, but paper wasn't expensive in the 18th-19th Centuries, surely?