subs. phr. (operatives’).—Before the passing of the Factory Acts it was customary in manufacturing districts, especially for men, women, and children, to indulge in the practice of working very long hours for a period of three weeks before the Christmas holidays. In the first, which was called ‘CALF WEEK,’ the ordinary hours of work were but slightly exceeded; in the second, or ‘COW WEEK,’ they were considerably augmented; and in the third, or ‘BULL WEEK,’ it was common for operatives to spend the greater portion of the twenty-four of each day in their workshops. The practice resulted in extreme exhaustion and—naturally—indulgence to excess in stimulants.
1871. Echo, 4 Dec. CALF, COW, AND BULL WEEK. We find a good illustration of the beneficial influence of the Factory Acts in the reports of the Government Inspectors just issued. The district inspector expresses the hope that the measures which he took against some offenders in BULL WEEK last year will extinguish for good and all this absurd and illogical custom.
