SIR – In view of badgers being in the news, I thought perhaps this gem of information might be of interest. The term badger was originally given to paupers who had to wear a badge on their clothing bearing a letter P under the conditions of the Settlement Act of 1697.
Later on, the term badger came to mean a pedlar, chapman or dealer.
So, if a man was a seller or a dealer in potatoes he would be a potato badger. Fascinating.
JEAN HARRIS Worcester
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