tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500704922792766299.post3129048024276530228..comments2024-03-27T18:33:35.372-07:00Comments on Yesterday’s Papers: The Boys from Clerkenwelljohn adcockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02601087030921802835noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500704922792766299.post-7671100906017730022011-06-17T16:36:42.041-07:002011-06-17T16:36:42.041-07:00"three-pair back" I think is a reference..."three-pair back" I think is a reference to a shared accommodation. A lot of social pundits of the tabloids of the time feigned shock at mixed sexes of all ages sharing a single room.john adcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02601087030921802835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500704922792766299.post-38921639187131592442011-06-17T16:10:55.727-07:002011-06-17T16:10:55.727-07:00I didn't understand the phrase "the ragge...I didn't understand the phrase "the ragged Irish hodman vegetates in the filth of his three-pair back." Is a "three-pair back" some kind of housing arrangement?<br /><br />I read this fascinating article with mixed feelings. Even discounting the era's taste for florid writing, I'm struck by the self-righteous contempt that drips from the London News article. They Smurfswackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11807173070389349098noreply@blogger.com