How Do You Spell NAVVIES?
Pronunciation: [nˈavɪz] (IPA) 
Pronunciation: [nˈavɪz] (IPA)
Navvies is a noun commonly used in British English to refer to a group of manual laborers, specifically those employed in the construction or maintenance of canals, railways, or other large civil engineering projects. The term "navvies" is an abbreviation for "navigators," which originally referred to those involved in the excavation and construction of canals.
Navvies were historically known for their physical strength and endurance, as their work involved heavy lifting, digging, and moving earth or rocks. They played a vital role in the development of transportation infrastructure during the 18th and 19th centuries, helping to build vast networks of canals and railways that revolutionized transportation in Britain.
Navvies often lived in temporary settlements near their work sites, referred to as "navvy camps." These camps were characterized by basic living conditions, with cramped and often unsanitary accommodations. The work of navvies was demanding and required them to endure long hours, harsh conditions, and risk to their safety.
Over time, the term "navvies" has expanded to encompass a broader range of manual laborers involved in construction or heavy engineering projects. While the specific nature of their work may have evolved, the term continues to evoke the image of grit, hard work, and determination associated with the early pioneers of transportation infrastructure in Britain.
The word "navvies" originated in Britain in the early 19th century and is a shortened form of "navigators". The term initially referred to the laborers who built or maintained canals (known as navigations) during the canal-building boom in Britain. These men were responsible for the hard manual work involved in digging the canals, such as excavating, shoveling, and moving earth and rocks. The term later expanded to include laborers working on other civil engineering projects, particularly railways. "Navvies" is derived from the word "navigate", as these workers were involved in constructing navigable waterways and transportation routes.
