Why a person is called "chain-head" who needs to have "sand to make a hand"?
Why a person is called "chain-hand" who needs to have "sand to make a hand"?

It's a passage from a book about hard life on a drilling rig.

The chain-hand is the man saddled with most of the schooling, and he knows all too well that the new guy will probably not be back tomorrow. Orientation was kept to a minimum until the prospect shows signs that he’s got the sand to make a hand. If a weevil lasts long enough to collect his first paycheck, the odds increase significantly that he’ll become a roughneck.

Question

Why a person is called "chain-head" who needs to have "sand to make a hand"?
Why a person is called "chain-hand" who needs to have "sand to make a hand"?

It's a passage from a book about hard life on a drilling rig.

The chain-hand is the man saddled with most of the schooling, and he knows all too well that the new guy will probably not be back tomorrow. Orientation was kept to a minimum until the prospect shows signs that he’s got the  sand to make a hand. If a weevil lasts long enough to collect his first paycheck, the odds increase significantly that he’ll become a roughneck.

Answer

“Hand” as used here means a worker, somebody who does a job with their hands.  I don’t know what a “chain-hand” is, but I guess his job somehow involves chains.  “Got the sand” means “has the grit/determination/guts” to become a “hand” — a good worker on the team.

Answer

Thank you!

Answer

"Chain hand", "sand to make a hand" - these are very non-standard English. Some occupations where workers are isolated from the cultural mainstream develop their own customs and jargon. The jargon is often incomprehensible to outsiders - the rest of us. In your passage I suspect the writer is reporting or imagining such a distinct, unusual workplace language.  I have never heard or seen these terms used in these ways; I would advise against using them yourself in any other context!  I hope this helps.

Verpassen Sie nicht die Gelegenheit, bequem von zu Hause aus eine Sprache zu lernen. Stöbern Sie in unserer Auswahl an erfahrenen Sprachlehrern und melden Sie sich jetzt zu Ihrer ersten Unterrichtsstunde an!