1823 E. P. Brenton I. 49 The term ‘quota-man’, or ‘lord-mayor's man’, was supposed to comprise every thing that was base and contemptible among sailors.
1905 21 Oct. 1066/2 The ‘quota men’ or ‘my Lord Mayor's men’, who were criminals chosen from among those in prison, had their heads shaved and their bodies scrubbed.