gandy dancer
/ˈɡændi ˈdænsər/
NOUN
1. A railway track maintenance laborer
A worker responsible for maintaining and repairing railway tracks, especially a member of a crew that carries, positions, and fastens rails to railroad ties.
1.1. Railway and track maintenance workers
Laborers who perform physically demanding work to construct, maintain, align, and repair railway tracks and related infrastructure.
Synonyms
- railway worker
- railroad worker
- track worker
- track laborer
- railway laborer
- railroad laborer
- navvy
Examples
- The job of a gandy dancer was physically demanding, requiring strength and precision in equal measure.
- The old photographs captured the gritty life of a railroad worker, known as a gandy dancer, maintaining the tracks.
- During the era of steam locomotives, a gandy dancer played a crucial role in keeping the railway lines in top condition.
Related Words
1.2. Manual and wage-earning workers
Workers who earn their living through physical or practical labor, particularly in industrial, construction, or transportation occupations.
Synonyms
- laborer
- worker
- wage earner
- wageworker
- workman
- workingman
- employee
- hireling
- toiler
- navvy
Antonyms
Examples
- The historical novel portrays a gandy dancer working alongside other wage earners in the railroad industry.
- My grandfather used to work as a gandy dancer during the summer months to earn extra income.