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Hey Will.... Thanks a bunch for the information 'bout the term "Gandy dancer's" origins. I'm a dedicated "wordie" and am always looking up new word or term definitions and/or origins. The trouble is I can never just stop after I find the word/term I'm lookin' up is that it's absolutely IMPOSSIBLE not to read on and browse the next 10 or 12 words definition <smile> Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: will johnston <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Saturday, July 10, 1999 6:17 AM Subject: GANDY DANCER >FYI > >A gandy dancer is a worker who works with others in laying railroad track. >Specifically the gandy dancers position the tracks the proper distance >apart [gauge]. A rail gauge is placed between the rails, and then one rail >is moved to make the rail fit tightly against the other rail and itself. >This is done by using iron poles [levers] to move the rail. The men work in >harmony levering the rail into place, hence the "dance." The iron poles >[levers] were made by Gandy Manufacturing Company, formerly near Chicago >and now long out of business.