(n.) Originally, a laborer on canals for internal navigation; hence, a laborer on other public works, as in building railroads, embankments, etc.

blue-collar worker breadwinner casual casual laborer common laborer day laborer digger dredge dredger driller employee excavator factory worker flunky free lance free-lancer full-time worker groundhog hand industrial worker jobber jobholder laborer laboring man menial migrant miner moiler office temporary proletarian roustabout salaried worker sandhog sapper self-employed person servant steam shovel stiff temporary toiler tunneler wage earner wage slave wageworker worker workgirl workhand working girl workingman workingwoman workman