Gold digger (Rhineland)

Gold digger (medieval “goltgrever”, Latin “cloacarius”) was a popular, euphemistic - sarcastic term for sewer cleaner in the Rhineland .

In medieval cities, for example in Cologne from the 13th to 17th centuries, this professional group had a low social reputation; they were avoided outsiders. In addition to sewer cleaners, this also includes hangmen , knackers and “ dog bats ”. The "Goltgrever" were obliged to dig up and remove the faeces from the public and private stalls , usually at night . On the other hand, these jobs were reasonably paid because they were particularly stressful. Often the "gold diggers" were involved in quarrels about their duties, the executioner was mostly their overseer.

literature

• F. Irsigler: Beggar and juggler, outsider in a medieval city DTV 1984, page 270 ff.