Advertisement

Advertisement

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

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
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of gandy dancer1

C20: of uncertain origin
Discover More

Example Sentences

One observer likened her stroke “to watching a gandy dancer drive railroad spikes,” The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Gandhinagarganef