pointsman means A man in charge of railroad points (switches). Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 88 out of 100.
Etymology
From points + man.
noun
- A man in charge of railroad points (switches).“The signalman, as such, was unknown at first. At junctions, or for shunting, the pointsman was responsible both for setting the points and working the appropriate signals, the two being independent. As a result, accidents were comparatively frequent, and the pointsman's job was, at best, a hazardous one.”