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