gong-fermer

gong-fermer

English

Noun

gong-fermer (plural gong-fermers)

1. Alternative form of gong farmer
   • 1872, James E. Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England: from the year after the Oxford Parliament (1259) to the Commencement of the Continental Wat (1793) (Volume 4: 1401-1582), Cambridge University Press, page 512:

     The gong-fermer disappears in the more refined name of the mazar scourer.

   • 2011, Brian Williams, Life in a Medieval Castle, Pitkin Publishing, "Castle Home":

     Cesspits were cleaned out by a worker known as a ‘gong-fermer’, who carted the sewage off to manure the vegetable plot.

   • 2014, Shirley McKay, Friend & Foe, Polygon, chapter 14:

     ‘You do not shy from muck,’ Hew concluded, grimly. ‘That will serve you well, if you have to end your days as a gong-fermer’s servant.’