swamper

[ swom-per ]

noun

1. Informal. a person who inhabits, works in, or is exceptionally familiar with swamps.
2. a general assistant or laborer; menial.
3. a person who trims felled trees into logs at a logging camp or sawmill.
4. Citizens Band Radio Slang. a motorist or truck driver, especially one using a CB radio.

swamper

/ ˈswɒmpə /

noun

1. 1. a person who lives or works in a swampy region, esp in the southern US
   2. a person who clears a swamp of trees and undergrowth or who clears a path in a forest for transporting logs

Word History and Origins

Origin of swamper¹

First recorded in 1715–25; swamp + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Before his nine-month stint as a “swamper,” assisting in the rigging up and down of drilling and auxiliary equipment at a well site, Smith was an actor, musician and playwright, with Brooklyn liberal politics to match.

From New York Times

I landed work as a swamper for a rig moving company.

From New York Times

A swamper is basically a rigger.

From New York Times

“For the fun of it, I guess. And because I’m a swamper and he’s not.”

From Literature

My mom, now, she weren’t no swamper, not even close.

From Literature

Related Words

• curator
• keeper
• overseer
• protector
• steward
• superintendent
• supervisor
• warden
• watchdog