gandy dancer

[gan-dee]

noun

Railroads Slang.

1. a member of a railroad section gang that lays or maintains track.

gandy dancer

/ ˈɡændɪ /

noun

1. slang,  a railway track maintenance worker

Word History and Origins

Origin of gandy dancer¹

1915–20; dancer apparently in reference to the rhythmic movements characteristic of such work; gandy is unexplained; the existence of a Gandy Manufacturing Company, which supposedly produced tools used by section gangs, has not been substantiated

Word History and Origins

Origin of gandy dancer¹

C20: of uncertain origin