I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole

[dickybird]

I would like to know the origin, please.

[bhaisahab]

I would like to know the origin, please.

If you google it you will find various explanations but the fact is nobody seems to know for certain.

[AlVal]

Having used barges in canals, I can advise that the sides of locks and banks etc. which someone navigating a canal would often need to press their barge-pole against can be very slimy and filthy, and definitely not nice to touch with your hands. To suggest you wouldn't even want your barge-pole to touch it (an item which routinely touches this filth) suggests it must be something extra-nasty indeed

[dickybird]

Having used barges in canals, I can advise that the sides of locks and banks etc. which someone navigating a canal would often need to press their barge-pole against can be very slimy and filthy, and definitely not nice to touch with your hands. To suggest you wouldn't even want your barge-pole to touch it (an item which routinely touches this filth) suggests it must be something extra-nasty indeed

Thank you, AlVal. I felt certain it came from canal barges, but I've never been on one. Your experience has filled in the gap and I'm sure this is it as it fits perfectly.

[Tdol]

Having used barges in canals, I can advise that the sides of locks and banks etc. which someone navigating a canal would often need to press their barge-pole against can be very slimy and filthy, and definitely not nice to touch with your hands. To suggest you wouldn't even want your barge-pole to touch it (an item which routinely touches this filth) suggests it must be something extra-nasty indeed

That's an interesting point.