[garinda]

I used to work with an old lady in London, and if pushed for time she always used to say 'A quarter to seven, and not a boy in the house washed!'

The time might have been different, but it was definitely a quarter to something, and it might have been bathed, instead of washed.

I asked her where it came from, and she didn't know.

It conjures up pictures of the Workhouse in Oliver Twist, or Dotheboys Hall in Nicholas Nickleby, or it might be from a film.

She might have even just made it up!

I've tried searching for a source, but to no avail.

Any help would be much appreciated.