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Reply #5: Reminds me of the "Match Girls" [View All]

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dipsydoodle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-01-07 07:37 PM
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5. Reminds me of the "Match Girls"
...........the women had been severely affected by the phosphorous that they used to make the matches. This caused yellowing of the skin and hair loss and phossy jaw, a form of bone cancer. The whole side of the face turned green and then black, discharging foul-smelling pus and finally death. Although phosphorous was banned in Sweden and the USA, the British government had refused to follow their example, arguing that it would be a restraint of free trade.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUmatchgirls.htm

I'd wondered if the "strike" at the match factory was the origin of that word in context of a labour dispute but no -it's a nautical expression used in context of navel yard disputes. You couldn't shift a square masted ship with its sails struck.
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