hand
A worker, especially hired help on a farm, ranch, or job site.
Also called hired hand, farmhand, ranch hand.
Updated September 24, 2026
hand pronunciation
/HAND/
Meaning
In rural Southern talk, a hand is a person who works, not just the thing at the end of your arm. A hired hand is paid help. Say somebody is a good hand with cattle or engines and you mean they know what they're doing. All hands means everybody on the crew.
How folks use it
- “We need another hand for hay season or we won't get it in before the rain.”
- “He's a good hand with a welder, but don't ask him to cook.”
Origin and etymology
Hand for a worker goes back a long way in English, from the idea of working with your hands. On American farms and ranches it got everyday use as hired hand, ranch hand, and field hand. Dictionary of American Regional English puts the farm-worker sense chiefly in the South, South Midland, and Texas.
Frequently asked questions
Does hand only mean a farm worker?
Farm and ranch talk is where it thrives, but folks also use it for any crew member. A good hand is somebody useful who gets the work done.