Scrubber?

[Invictas]

I have tried to find the origin of the word Scrubber,as in tart/*** or loose woman.
There are plenty of websites with possibele origins,but none that I consider plausible.
Anyone got any thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Jo.

[mike11111]

My theory is that a scrubber or scullery maid was the lowest form of pond life in the servants' world.

[Invictas]

Good point mike,and something no dictionary on the web suggested,but it sounds very plausible!

[Quizmonster]

The original meaning of scrubber in this sense was a young woman who followed jazz-bands around...ie a groupie of her day. Yes, she may have slept with the occasional jazzman, but that was as much for her own satisfaction as his.
Perhaps the word was based on the Australian idea of a scrubber being a cow which had run wild in the bush. From that, it took on the meaning of ANY 'degenerate' creature such as a groupie or nowadays a tart.