Trouble at't Mill!!

[sair5412]

What exactly was the trouble at't mill? (could be more of a northern phrase) Does anybody know? Who caused it? Which mill was it?

[new_squizza]

one on't cross beams gone owt askew on treadle!

[heathfield]

D'ye mean bliddy flayrod on't bliddy treddle? Agen?

[Loosehead]

This may be wrong but I have a feeling it relates to the Ludites smashing the machines in the textiles mills. Working with computers it's an idea that I can have a certain amount of sympathy with!

[inksplotter]

Thus inspired its usage on Monty Python...

[bathtub]

Inheritance was made in 1967, so predated the Python Spanish Inquistion sketches, in which trouble at t'mill featured, by three years. However, neither was likely to be the origin of the phrase - it's a north country expression of much longer standing. 'Trouble at t'pit' is also used. Mills and pits were both troublesome, as sites of industrial accidents, diabolical working conditions and labour disputes - I think the expression reflects sardonic northern humour at its best. There was always 'trouble at t'mill'.