Suck the grate

Posted by A Poulton on October 26, 2005

Some months ago I was told by a Walsall [Uk, West Mislands] born and bred person the following saying. She referred to someone as a 'suck the grate' [or grert] meaning someone who stays by the fire and never goes out. I cannot find anyone else who has ever heard this saying, Can you help?