"When an apprentice enters a shop, he will in all probability be taught to 'keepnix' before he is told the names of all the tools... Keeping nix is a really important job [which] consists in keeping a bright look-out for the approach of managers or foremen, so as to be able to give prompt and timely notice to men who may be skulking, or having a sly read or smoke, or who are engaged on 'corporation work' - that is, work of their own"

-Victorian London: The Tale of a City 1840--1870 By Liza Picard