Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ˈɡæŋɡər/

Definitions

• A supervisor or foreman of a group of workers, especially in manual labor industries such as railways and construction.
• (Scottish) A person who walks or moves frequently.

Usage Examples

• The ganger ensured that the railway workers completed the track repairs on time.
• (Scottish) He was known as a constant ganger, never staying in one place for too long.

Etymology

Derived from Old English "gangan," meaning "to go" or "to walk." Later adapted into Scots and English to refer to a leader of a working gang.

Synonyms

• Foreman, Supervisor, Overseer

Antonyms

• Worker, Subordinate, Laborer

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In Scottish dialects, "ganger" may be pronounced with a harder 'g' and a more nasalized vowel sound.

Historical Usage

The term was commonly used in British and Scottish labor forces during the industrial revolution to refer to work supervisors.

Cultural Nuances

In some regions, "ganger" carries a connotation of authority and discipline, often seen as a tough but fair leader in the workforce.

More Information

Today, "ganger" is still used in some industries, particularly in the UK, Australia, and South Africa, to describe a work gang leader, especially in railway maintenance and construction.