An entry-level employee, often an apprentice or general laborer, assigned to run errands and retrieve equipment. The name is a phonetic play on the phrase go for, reflecting their daily routine of fetching coffee, hardware, and paperwork. Serving in this role is a traditional way for newcomers to learn the layout of a job site and the names of specialized tools.
Heard on the job
Send the gopher down to the supply house to grab three boxes of toggle bolts and a new hole saw.
Insider tip
A classic shop prank involves sending the gopher to find a non-existent tool, like a left-handed screwdriver or a bucket of steam.
Also heard as
- runner
- fetcher