Knacker
A knacker (
Etymology
The oldest recorded use of the word "knacker" dates to 1812, meaning "one who slaughters old or sick horses" and in 1855 "to kill, castrate", and is believed to be the same word as the earlier knacker/nacker "harness-maker" from the 1570s, surviving in 18th century dialects.[3] The sense extension is perhaps because "knackers" provided farmers with general help in horse matters, including the disposal of dead horses and animals. The word is of uncertain origin, perhaps from the Scandinavian word represented by Old Norse hnakkur, saddle, and related to hnakki, "back of the neck", possibly relating to neck.[3]
Legal definition
The term is in this literal sense in
Knackery by-products are rendered under regulation into fats and meat and bone meal for incineration. Cattle hides may be recovered for leather production. The kinds of animal processing which can occur at knackeries are defined by law, for example, in Australia by the Commonwealth Meat Inspection Act 1983.[5] In the EU, the legislation covering knackeries is Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of 21 October 2009. It regulates animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption.[6]
Slang use
"Knackered" meaning tired, exhausted or broken in British and Irish slang is commonly used in Australia, Ireland,
– small medieval kettle drums which were typically played in pairs suspended from a belt around the waist.The term "knacker drinking" refers to the practice of consuming
The British satirical magazine
Automotive junkyards, salvage yards or recyclers may also be referred to as "knackers' yards" or "knackers".
The word has also been used as a derogatory term against members of the Travelling Community in Ireland. There have been some calls to cease the use of slang terms like "knacker drinking" and "knackered" as a result.[12][13]
References
- ^ Chemist, Practical (1844). "Animal Gas, or the Value of Dead Animals". The United States Practical Receipt Book: Or, Complete Book of Reference, for the Manufacturer, Tradesman, Agriculturist Or Housekeeper; Containing Many Thousand Valuable Receipts, in All the Useful and Domestic Arts. Philadelphia: Linsey & Blakiston. p. 320.
- ISBN 9780300072242.
- ^ a b "Knacker". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
- ^ Food Act 1984, Government of the United Kingdom
- ^ "Meat Inspection Act 1983 (Cth)".
- ^ Official Journal if the European Union – Regulations
- ^ e.g. Thomas in The Virgin Soldiers
- ^ "Boyzone hit in row over `knacker drinking'". independent.
- ^ "Knacker Drinking – Main page". www.thegrovesocialclub.com.
- ISBN 9781444717839– via Google Books.
- ^ "Private Eye". Pressdram. 14 January 1983 – via Google Books.
- ^ Russell, Cliodhna. "'The word knacker makes me feel nervous and ashamed'". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ^ Duran, Anagricel (20 June 2023). "Dermot Kennedy apologises after using Traveller community racial slur". NME. Retrieved 3 July 2023.