gandy dancer

noun

gan·dy dancer | \ ˈgan-dē-

\

Definition of gandy dancer

1 : a laborer in a railroad section gang

2 : an itinerant or seasonal laborer

History and Etymology for gandy dancer

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.

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The first known use of gandy dancer was in 1915

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