Skilled workers who specialize in building walls and structures by laying bricks in mortar.
From 'bricklay' (verb) plus the agent suffix '-er', then pluralized with '-s'. Bricklayers emerged as a distinct trade during medieval times as brick construction became sophisticated.
Bricklayers have one of the oldest documented trade unions in history—the Worshipful Company of Bricklayers was established in London in 1568, making them pioneers of organized labor centuries before most professions.
Bricklaying was historically male-dominated skilled labor. The masculine generic 'bricklayers' often erased women's significant contributions to masonry and construction, particularly during wartime labor needs.
Use 'bricklayers' as gender-neutral (modern standard) or specify 'women bricklayers' when highlighting underrepresented participants.
["masonry workers","masons","construction laborers"]
Women have worked in bricklaying and masonry for centuries, including documented roles during WWI and WWII when labor shortages created opportunities. Modern women bricklayers continue breaking into apprenticeships and skilled trades.
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