"The Spike"

Taken from:

The Penguin Dictionary of Historical Slang
Author:   Eric Partridge,   Penguin Books, 1982

THE SPIKE  - Tramps� cant from about 1866, thought to refer to the hardness of the beds, the fare and the treatment.

To �Go on the Spike� is to sleep in the workhouse.

SPIKE PARK - from about 1860, the grounds of a prison, originally thought to refer to the Queens Bench Prison.

SPIKE RANGER - A continual tramper, from one casual ward to another.

It is also thought that it may be connected with the word �SPINNIKEN�  --  

SPINNIKEN or SPINNIKIN - from the Dutch spinnhuis or German spinnhaus, a House of correction for women in Continental Europe.

There is an advertisement in a Hull newspaper on 3rd November, 1798, advertising for a Master and Matron for the Sculcoates Workhouse.  One of their duties will be to instruct inmates in the "spinning of wool".

In R. G. Battle's Trade Directory for Hull, (1791), there is a list of the Officers at the Kingston upon Hull Workhouse.  One of these Officials, Joseph Eastwood, is described as "Spinning Master".

Names for various Workhouses:

THE LUMP - Marylebone Workhouse.

THE PAN - St Pancras Workhouse.

THE SPIKE - The workhouse in Drogheda, County Louth, Eire.

THE SPINNIKEN - St. Giles� Workhouse. (from about 1864).

If you know of a "nickname" for any of the Workhouses, please let me know, via the e-mail address below.

The Webmaster is Kevin J. Moorcroft, [email protected]

This page was last modified on