"On t'pancrack"

[paddyk]

This phrase is slang for being on the dole or in receipt of social security benefits. I believe that "on the pan crack" originates from the coal mining areas of Yorkshire and I first heard it from my grandad who was originally from the pit village of Featherstone near Pontefract. So this would tie in with what my research says.
Has anyone heard this phrase in other parts of the country, particularly the north of England and where does the phrase "pan crack" come from. I would be very interested if anyone has any theories as to the origin of this.

[corylus]

Never heard this in West Yorkshire

[paddywak]

Fairly common in the Notts mining areas, but we had lads from all over the country who had come after their pits had closed so it could have originated anywhere.

[plautus]

Nor in North East England. The only connection I can see is with the American term "panhandle", which means to beg on the streets.

[marje]

I live in West Yorkshire and I've heard of it, although not for many years. My husband seems to think that it comes from not being able to afford to eat out so you 'made the pan crack', meaning you had to cook. Seems feasible.

[ChillDoubt]

Not heard this before, though when I was in the Army a 'pan-cracker' was (without going into detail) something lavatorial...

[stellarfruitcake]

My Dad was originally from Leeds (born in 1918) and used to use this expression. He told us that when some of the men had collected their dole they would buy food (bacon and eggs I think) for their hungry families on the way home and then rush back to urge their wives to 'get the pan cracking!' (heat the fat up in the frying pan), and that's where the word comes from.

[MarkRae]

Interesting. That's a new one on me too. In Newcastle we used to talk about people being "on the burroo" as in "bureau" or "on the nat" as in Nat King Cole = dole, and in Glasgow I've heard people saying that they had "joined the parish"...

[DTCwordfan]

New one on me - never heard it used in Cumbrian mining, the Lakes or north-west Yorkshire (the Dales)....

[DTCwordfan]

and thanks fruitcake, that makes sense...

[AlwaysConfused]

It's not a saying I've ever heard in Hampshire.

[jno]

this explanation might be retrofitted, but...

http://unquietdesperation.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=979.0

[pancrack]

I originate from the same place as the original senders grandfather. It was a very commom word that was used to describe someone who was on the dole or who was on the sick fom work receiving sick pay. I've not heard it for years until today when I was back at Kellingley pit for a training course and one of the old colliers used the word. It made me chuckle...
The origin of the word lies in having sufficient money to only buy eggs to crack on the side of your frying pan according to my research!!

[Tjt87]

It’s my understanding after working for the social for many years is that it comes from the origin of the welfare state which was meant to cover everyone “All Heads” or “ Pan cranium” PAN CRAIC. Simples