Arthur Boulton "wash house jobber" what is that?

[Gibby1968]

I found my 2x great uncle Arthur Boulton on the 1939 register.

His occupation is confusing though.  It says wash house jobber combing.

I have looked up the word jobber and combing is a textile term but I can't fathom what it means.

Any ideas please?

Thanks.

[BumbleB]

My interpretation 

Jobber = casual worker
Wash house and combing would be part of the textile industry, probably woollen - not unusual in Keighley.

I don't know whether combing came before or after washing of the wool.

Added:  looking it up, washing came before combing.

[Gibby1968]

So he worked in the textile industry then?

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

I wish they'd write these things so they're easier to understand

[BumbleB]

But if they did, then where's the fun 

[JenB]

I wish they'd write these things so they're easier to understand

Arthur would have been asked his occupation, and written or said  'wash house jobber combing'. He knew what it meant 

[Gibby1968]

I don't suppose they thought that anyone would be looking for information on them 100 years later.

[Gibby1968]

For the census I mean.

I realise 1939 is not 100 years ago!