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Another explanation, and thought to
be the most appropriate, is that it had to do
with the tanning (leather) industry. It would
appear that the leather hides were dabbed with
salt or acid as part of the tanning process and the
person responsible for this process was called a
'Dabber'. Nantwich was a thriving tanning town at
one time and, therefore, the community became to
be known as Dabbers.
Some
other explanations include:
There
was once a Sunday School superintendent at Hope Street, Crewe
known as 'Dabber Mullins' (1930/40s). He was reputed to have
originated the name when out poaching - 'dab down' when
gamekeeper approached. However, 'dab down' is also another
well known Nantwich expression for depositing the stakes of a
wager (bet) with the stakeholder.
It
has also been said 'Dabber' came from 'dabbing' thumb marks on
documents when unable to write.
If anyone knows different or has
a definitive explanation, please let me know - contact
The Nantwich Town Football Club are
known as 'The Dabbers', there is a local
publication of the same name and a taxi service called Dabbers in the town.
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