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"Knacker" is a somewhat oldish word for "old guy" in german - maybe related? Also comes from the word "knack" with the same meaning as in dutch.

It's also a very derogatory word in Ireland for a member of the travelling/gypsy community.

Who also used to be the knackermen back in the day, hence they became knows as the 'knackers'.

"Knackers yard" was a place to take horses for disposal, AIUI, and we'd - by extension - call a scrapyard (for cars) "the knackers yard".

We also use knackers and knackers yard in Ireland to refer to people who dispose of dead farm animals.

And “Knacker” is also a sausage because it “knacks” when you break it in half. Knack in German has the meaning snap or crack.

I’m glad you added the origin - sausages made from old or diseased animals don’t sound great.

"sausages made from old or diseased animals don’t sound great."

But that's what they were made of originally - and still are in areas with bad overwatch.