What does navvy mean?
A navvy refers to a labourer who worked on large infrastructure projects such as canals, railways, and tunnels, primarily during the 18th and 19th centuries. These workers were responsible for the manual labour involved in excavating and constructing these projects, often under challenging conditions. The term is closely associated with the Industrial Revolution in Britain and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the labourers who built the country's transportation networks. Although the term is no longer in common use, it remains an important part of British industrial history.
nounA navvy is a labourer employed in the construction of canals, railways, and other large infrastructure projects, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries.
- A labourer employed in large infrastructure projects
- A person who digs or excavates
"The navvies worked tirelessly to build the canal, often in difficult conditions."
"The navvies were responsible for digging the tunnel."
"The construction company employed many navvies to work on the new highway."
The plural form navvies is used to refer to multiple labourers.
"The construction company employed many navvies to work on the new highway."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of navvy
The term navvy is derived from the phrase 'navigator', which was used to describe the workers who built the Bridgewater Canal in the 18th century. Over time, the term evolved into 'navvy' and became a widely used term to describe the labourers who worked on large infrastructure projects.
How navvy is actually used
The term navvy is largely historical and is no longer commonly used in modern British English, except in historical or literary contexts.