Guernsey Police Station Station…

This was originally the workhouse and in later years the Town Hospital.

Back in the workhouse days people weren’t treated well and many were given thankless, painful tasks like stripping old rope which brings me nicely to today’s saying; money for old rope.


The saying "money for old rope" originates from a few possible sources, all involving the reuse or disposal of old materials, particularly ropes. One theory suggests it comes from the practice of sailors selling worn-out ropes at port for some money, even if they weren't worth much. Another possibility involves the sale of rope that was discarded after a hangman's execution, where the "celebrity" ropes were cut into smaller pieces and sold. A third, more general explanation links it to the use of old rope for various purposes, like making oakum, where women and children in prisons, like Crumlin Road Gaol, would be tasked with picking apart old rope for various uses. 

Here's a more detailed look at the possible origins: 

Nautical Origins:
Sailors landing in port, short on cash, might have sold lengths of old rope for a small amount of money, even if it was hardly worth anything. This could have been a way to describe earning money with minimal effort or value.



Hangman's Ropes:
In the past, hangmen would sometimes cut the ropes from executions into smaller pieces and sell them as souvenirs or for other uses. This would have been a way to generate some profit from discarded material.



Oakum Picking:
In Victorian times, women and children in prisons, like Crumlin Road Gaol, were tasked with picking apart old rope to make oakum, a material used for filling mattresses, pillows, or other items. This task, while a necessary one, was often considered menial and poorly paid, leading to the phrase "money for old rope"