Definition of the word digger

The word "digger" originated from the English Civil War, which took place in the mid-17th century. During this time, the New Model Army, which was formed by Parliament against the monarchy, recruited common people, including farmers and laborers, to fight in their ranks. These soldiers were known as "diggers" because they were largely agrarian workers who supplemented their wages by engaging in agriculture during peacetime. The term "digger" was initially used to describe the soldiers' skills in digging and trench warfare on the battlefield, but it also came to symbolize their social class and their connection to the land. After the war, the term "digger" continued to be used colloquially as a descriptor for working-class men and women who manual labor jobs, particularly in the agricultural and construction industries.