There are some jobs today that may seem a little weird, but these do not compare to some of the oddest jobs in our history. Before the days of modern conveniences like plumbing and modern medicine, these jobs were not only commonplace but quite practical to daily life. Providing an interesting glimpse into the past, take a moment and delve into these seven oddest jobs people had in ancient times.
7. Rat Catcher
Starting our list of oddest jobs is the rat catcher. During the 19th century, the medieval cities of Europe had a serious rat problem, leading to numerous outbreaks of disease and impeding the development of society. This led to the rat catchers, members of society who were hired to get rid of the vermin. The job was both demanding and dangerous, however, rat catchers were valued in society for the risks they took.
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6. Gong Farmer
Sixth on our list of the oddest jobs is the gong farmer, which has quite a disgusting meaning. Medieval Europe got rid of their waste in cesspits and latrines, but they would eventually fill. Enter the gong farmer, whose job was to empty and maintain these areas. “Gong” means to scoop up, and these farmers would gather the excrement before disposing of it outside of town. Even though they played a crucial role in society, gong farmers were often looked down upon.
5. Barber-Surgeon
Next up for history’s oddest jobs is the barber-surgeon, two words you may think do not go together at all. But, in the Middle Ages, this is exactly what happened. Barber surgeons would cut hair, shave, and wash hair, but also performed the basics of surgery! The idea behind the combined jobs was the barber’s skills with sharp objects to cut hair. Common medical procedures conducted by barber surgeons include amputations, urine testing, tooth pulling, and bloodletting.
4. Knock Knobbler
Our next selection for the oddest jobs is centered around the church. Knock knobblers were a version of animal control during Elizabethan times, chasing wild dogs out of the church during services. This helped worshippers perform their prayers without distraction, but it didn’t end there. If there were no wild dogs, the knock knobblers would turn their attention to rowdy children and remove them from the service too.
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3. Tosher
Earning a spot in the top three oddest jobs is the tosher, who dwelled in a similar space as the gong farmer. Mostly found in Victorian London, toshers made a living by searching the sewers for precious items. These included coins, watches, rings, and other riches. However, it was not a state-sanctioned activity, so toshers were technically trespassers and thieves. Nevertheless, they would continue to search for treasure in various ingenious ways.
2. Sin-eater
Second on our list of the oddest jobs in history is the sin-eater. While not a widespread job, in certain cultures (particularly Welsh and sometimes English and Scottish), there was a profession called the sin-eater. They would attend a ritual ceremony after a loved one’s death and consume a meal made by the family to symbolically absorb the transgressions the deceased individual committed in their life. It was meant to prevent the dead from being condemned to an eternity of fire and brimstone due to unconfessed sins.
1. Groom of the Stool
Last but not least on our list of oddest jobs in history is the groom of the stool. Though not considered the grossest job compared to the gong farmer and the tosher, it still ranks high on the list. The groom of the stool was the male servant assigned to the English monarch to assist with his toiletry needs. They would consistently carry a portable commode, and some would even monitor the monarch’s bowel movements to know when he needed to use the commode.
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