A word from Canadian schools and workplaces for the person whose hand is always up first. In a shop it describes the apprentice who shows up early, asks a hundred questions and wants to run the CNC on the first day. It is gently mocking, and a keener who also listens tends to become the next good machinist.
Heard on the job
New apprentice is a real keener, already cleaned the lathe, sharpened every drill and asked for the next job.
Also heard as
- eager beaver
Do not mix it up with
- Crusty: The crusty is the gruff veteran; the keener is the eager newcomer.
Related terms
Crusty
An old, gruff veteran machinist with a lifetime of skill, strong opinions and little patience for shortcuts.
Shop rat
Someone who practically lives in the shop, on the clock or off, and is happiest at a machine.
Left-handed screwdriver
A tool that does not exist, which new apprentices are sent to fetch as a rite of initiation.