gandy dancer
noun
gan·dy dancer ˈgan-dē- 
1
: a laborer in a railroad section gang
2
: an itinerant or seasonal laborer
Word History
Etymology
of obscure origin
Note: Claims that gandy refers to a "Gandy Manufacturing Company" or "Gandy Tool Company," a supposed maker of section worker tools, have never been substantiated and are probably specious.
First Known Use
1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1
gandy dancers
noun
as in wage earners
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- wage earners
- wage slaves
- laborers
- workwomen
- workingwomen
- assistants
- toilers
- grubs
- wageworkers
- subordinates
- employees
- jobbers
- cogs
- navvies
- hacks
- underlings
- flunkeys
- workingmen
- workmen
- employes
- drudges
- workers
- coworkers
- yes-men
- flunkies
- colleagues
- jobholders
- nine-to-fivers
- co-workers
- hirelings
- hands
- retainers
- temps
- associates
- temporaries
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- employers
- supervisors
- bosses
- superiors
- gaffers
