Kempsters

Historians suggest this term arose because the work of combing wool was tedious, repetitive, and loud. Workers—primarily women at the time—frequently talked, argued, or complained to pass the time, leading the public to associate the trade with a "scolding" gathering. The Modern Rebirth: Clint Howard and The Kempsters

The work required strength (to pull heavy combs against resistant wool), dexterity (to avoid tearing the fibers), and resilience against burns from the heated combs. Kempsters often worked from home or in small workshops, selling their combed wool to spinners or clothiers. kempsters

The suffix -stere (which evolved into -ster ) was originally used in Old and Middle English to denote a female agent or doer of an action. For example, a spinner became a spinster , a weaver became a webster , and a comber became a kempster . Historians suggest this term arose because the work