Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Aus./N.Z.) household linen; thus the Manchester department in shops.

1907		Anthony Hordern Catal. 60: Manchester Department, so called from the majority of the goods included within its scope being of what is popularly known as Manchester manufacture [AND].
1924		Anthony Hordern Catal. 1: Household Linen Department. Also known as the Manchester Department, where will be found every description of household and family linen [AND].
1935		Aus. Woman’s Mirror (Sydney) 2 July 21: Thrifty housewives should not delay to choose from these Manchester Values [AND].
1955		Bulletin 2 Feb. 56: [advert] Special bargain offers from our Manchester section.
1963		Retail Merchandiser July 28: Mr G.S. Ghent, buyer for the Manchester Department, retired after twenty-three years’ service [AND].
1963		R. McGregor-Hastie Compleat Migrant 107: Manchester: cotton and linen.
1977		E. Mackie Oh to be Aussie 42: When he’s finished spending, ‘Mum’ carries on buying Manchester in the January sales.
1983		Max Harris in Bulletin 29 Nov. 90: My wife experienced an episode of some confusion, if not embarrassment, in the John Lewis department store in London recently. She had just concluded a transaction and was asked if she would take her purchase with her. ‘No,’ she said, ‘just hold it. I have to go to manchester but I’ll be back in a while.’ A baffled sales assistant informed madam that it was quite a long way to Manchester. My wife insisted that it was merely on the second floor. The assistant looked as if she should be calling in some nice men with white coats to take her away.