Dear Sir,—
On turning over the leaves of Notes and Queries I happened on your enquiry re “Tormentor for your fleas.” May I ask, have you succeeded in getting at the meaning or origin of this curious street cry? I have tried to trace it, but in vain. It occurs to me as just possible that the following circumstance may bear on it:—
The Japanese are annoyed a good deal with fleas. They make little cages of bamboo—such I suppose as a small bird cage or mouse-trap—containing plenty of bars and perches inside. These bars they smear over with bird-lime, and then take the cage to bed with them. Is it not, as I say, just possible, that one of our ancient mariners brought the idea home with him and started it in London? If so, a maker of bird cages or mouse-traps is likely to have put the idea into execution, and cried his mouse-traps and “flea tormentors” in one breath.
Faithfully yours,
Douglas Owen.
From “Notes and Queries,” April 18th, 1885.
London Cries.—A cheap and extended edition of my London Street Cries being on the eve of publication, I shall be glad of early information as to the meaning of “A dip and a wallop for a bawbee”[A] and “Water for the buggs.”[12] I recollect many years ago reading an explanation of the former, but am doubtful as to its correctness.
Andrew W. Tuer.
The Leadenhall Press, E.C.