Casters

[Lea Dweller]

I cannot be certain about the origins of the term caster, but a very plausible possibility attributes the name to Lancashire dialect? i.e. maggots that have turned to chrysalis have 'cast' hence the name 'casters' This would seem to tie in with what others have already mentioned regarding Benny Ashurst etc.

[Tengisgol]

Yep - constant riddling - the boy in the shops job!

That was me all day Saturdays, in between boiling hemp and making tea for the men.

[Duckett]

I cannot be certain about the origins of the term caster, but a very plausible possibility attributes the name to Lancashire dialect? i.e. maggots that have turned to chrysalis have 'cast' hence the name 'casters' This would seem to tie in with what others have already mentioned regarding Benny Ashurst etc.

Not strictly relevant, but I honestly wish that I could recall more of the Lancashire dialect my Dad knew. I picked up a bit more as a student in Lancaster.

Phil

[NiceRoach]

Casters?

Ivan Marks in his book recalled how they were different to maggots, along the lines of ' imagine a fish was hungry but not that hungry.'

Instead they fancied a drink of milk instead of something to eat.