Knock up

In warehouse work, to knock up paper is to get it into such a condition that each sheet exactly covers, but does not overhang at any edge, the sheet below. The sides of the heap, after the paper has been properly knocked up, should present the appearance of a perfectly smooth surface. The warehouseman takes up a small quantity of paper (according to the stoutness or flimsiness) and holding it loosely at the edges with both hands, he bends the ends slightly towards him so that the paper shall form a curve; he then lifts it up a little from the table and lets it drop upon its edge through his hands—the curve giving the edge a certain firmness, many of the sheets drop down into their places; he repeats this two or three times, and will then, in letting it drop upon the table, bring the lower part nearer to him, so that the outside of the curve may strike first, and throw the sheets gradually up higher at the back. This he will do also two or three times. lie then lets the further side rest upon the table, and shuffles the sheets gradually away from him, lifting the whole up, and letting the edges drop upon the table three or four times. Repeating these operations soon brings all the sheets even, both at the ends and sides. He then lays this taking on one side and repeats the operation with other takings, laying them on each other till he has completed the whole. A soft flimsy paper takes more time in knocking up than a hard paper, as the sheets have not strength enough separately to be driven into their places by striking on their edges.