In ancient times, the word "fishing for wool" specifically referred to laborers who worked as handyman in brothels. These laborers mainly carry teapots, towels and pour chamber pot for clients and prostitutes in brothels, and provide washing services for clients and prostitutes.
In ancient times, the word "Lao Mao" came into being in Yuan and Ming Dynasties and became a common word in Qing Dynasty.
In Ming Dynasty, Shen's "One Phase and Five Combinations" said: "Because the government banned the exile of prostitutes, the Qin Lou in the Chu Museum was extinct, and we sailors who fished for wool had nowhere to live." Fishing wool keeps pace with sailors, which shows that its main function is from soup to water.
Another example is Wei Xiuren's "Flower Moon Mark" in the Qing Dynasty: "From then on, making clothes and jewelry, peach will do this, peach will do that, peach will do that, and it will cost tens of dollars a day. Even pimps, helpers, and hair catchers have not touched the light. " Fishing for wool is the same as pimping for others, which shows that they have their own full-time jobs and cannot be generalized.
Extended information Now, the word "Lao Mao" mostly appears in the extended meaning of Baotou dialect, which mainly refers to working for others for free. The word "Lao Mao" is pronounced the same as the word "Lao".
For example, making a living for the village head is not a waste of money, so how can I get paid? Where are you going to find Mao Ge?
Nowadays, some people often volunteer to help others for free. They are called teenagers, monkeys and goods. Its significance obviously comes from the wool fishing in brothels.
With the development of the times, the word "fishing for wool" has a new meaning, which mainly refers to the waiter who provides services for guests in senior clubs, that is, people often say "waiter"