Most of us don’t like going to work, even if we don’t hate our jobs. But we’ve all got better things to do, right? Well, yes, we do. But it could be worse. Throughout history, people have had some truly weird and awful jobs that will make you appreciate yours.
Leech Collector
Leech collectors gathered leeches from marshes and ponds to be used in medical treatments. They often used their own legs to attract the leeches. This job was dangerous and uncomfortable, as collectors could suffer from blood loss and infections.
Knocker-Up
Before alarm clocks, knocker-ups would wake people up by tapping on their windows with long sticks. They had to remember each client’s specific wake-up time and ensure they didn’t oversleep. This job required early rising and careful timing.
Gong Farmer
Gong farmers were responsible for cleaning out privies and cesspits. They worked at night and had to haul away human waste, which was then used as fertilizer. This smelly job was necessary for maintaining sanitation in cities.
Rat Catcher
Rat catchers were hired to control rat populations in cities and towns. They used traps, poison, and sometimes their bare hands to catch the rodents. This job was risky due to the diseases rats carried, including the plague.
Resurrectionist
Resurrectionists, or body snatchers, exhumed bodies from graves to sell to medical schools for dissection. This illegal job was dangerous, as they could be caught and punished severely. It was also morally questionable and widely condemned.
Sin-Eater
Sin-eaters were hired to eat a meal over a deceased person’s body to absorb their sins, allowing the soul to rest in peace. This job was considered spiritually risky and often looked down upon by society. Sin-eaters were usually poor and desperate.
Alnager
Alnagers were inspectors who measured and checked the quality of woolen cloth. They ensured that the fabric met legal standards. This job required a keen eye for detail and knowledge of textiles, but it became obsolete with the rise of industrial manufacturing.
Plague Doctor
Plague doctors treated victims of the bubonic plague. They wore beaked masks filled with aromatic substances to protect themselves from the disease. Their treatments were often ineffective, and many died from exposure to the plague.
Toad Doctor
Toad doctors used live toads in folk medicine to treat various ailments, such as scrofula and warts. Patients would wear toads in bags around their necks or apply them to the affected areas. This bizarre practice eventually fell out of favor.
Pure Finder
Pure finders collected dog feces, known as “pure,” which was used in the tanning industry to soften leather. They roamed the streets searching for the valuable waste. This dirty job was essential for the production of quality leather goods.
Fuller
Fullers cleaned and thickened woolen cloth by pounding it with their feet in tubs of stale urine. The ammonia in the urine acted as a cleansing agent. This job was physically demanding and unpleasant, but vital for producing finished textiles.
Lime Burner
Lime burners heated limestone in kilns to produce quicklime, used in construction and agriculture. The job was hazardous due to the intense heat and caustic nature of quicklime. Lime burners often suffered from respiratory problems and burns.
Whipping Boy
A whipping boy was a young servant who was punished in place of a prince or noble child when they misbehaved. The idea was that the noble would feel guilt and behave better. This job was both painful and psychologically taxing.
Herb Strewer
Herb strewers scattered fragrant herbs and flowers in public places to mask unpleasant smells. They were often employed by royalty and the wealthy. This job was largely ceremonial and faded with the advent of modern sanitation and air fresheners.
Powder Monkey
Powder monkeys were young boys who carried gunpowder to the cannons on naval ships during battles. This job was incredibly dangerous, as they were exposed to enemy fire and explosions. Many powder monkeys were injured or killed in action.
Lector
Lectors read newspapers, books, and other literature aloud to factory workers to entertain them while they worked. This job required a strong voice and good reading skills. It became less common with the introduction of radios and other forms of entertainment.
Gandy Dancer
Gandy dancers were railroad workers who manually aligned tracks using specialized tools. They had to work in synchronized groups, often singing songs to keep rhythm. This physically demanding job was crucial for maintaining railway lines.
Town Crier
Town criers made public announcements in the streets, often ringing a bell to get attention. They were the primary source of news before newspapers. This job required a loud voice and the ability to memorize important information.
Ellen has been obsessed with logic puzzles, jigsaws, and cryptograms since she was a kid. After learning she was taught how to play chess wrong by a family friend (so they could win), she joined her school chess club and the rest is history.
