What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
longshoreman
Example
The longshoreman was responsible for loading and unloading the cargo from the ship. [longshoreman: noun]
Example
He worked as a longshoreman for many years, operating cranes and other heavy machinery. [longshoreman: noun]
wharfie
Example
The wharfie used a forklift to move the containers from the ship to the dock. [wharfie: noun]
Example
She started working as a wharfie after finishing high school, handling cargo and freight. [wharfie: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Longshoreman is more commonly used than wharfie in everyday language, especially in the United States. Wharfie is a regional term that is less common outside of Australia and New Zealand.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between longshoreman and wharfie?
Longshoreman is considered more formal than wharfie, which is a colloquial term used mainly in informal contexts.