What does the sentence "I lit a cigarette that tasted like a plumber's handkerchief" mean? [closed]

In what way does a plumber's handkerchief taste like a cigarette?

Solution 1:

From the tone of the sentence it must have come from some gritty story about some tough times. Mentioning a handkerchief also tells you how long ago this was written. Comparing the flavor of a cigarette to anything non-tobacco is part of the cynical mindset of a 40's or 50's novel. In those days the plumber, and several others, were the lowest of the low paid, least respected workers. What they had on their hands was not to be mentioned in polite company. To compare a flavor, willingly or habitually imbibed, to the rag the plumber wipes his hands on is meant to give you the idea that the flavour was more than a bit unpleasant, even for people used to the taste of cigarettes. It would be instructive to learn a few more descriptions included in the story you are reading.

Addendum: A good plumber never comes into contact with human waste. It is the merely the perception of filth disguised as hard work that gives the repellent air to the comparison. As for not belonging in this board; Many such questions hinge much more on subtle word meanings in one sentence or another. This time it is not so subtle.