A roughneck is a worker on an oil drilling rig, the tall tower-like structure that drills deep into the earth to find oil and natural gas. The name fits the job: roughnecks do tough, physical work in difficult conditions, often outdoors in extreme weather, handling heavy machinery and steel pipes. They might work on land rigs in remote deserts or on massive platforms floating in the ocean. The work demands strength, stamina, and the ability to stay focused when tired, since mistakes around powerful drilling equipment can be dangerous.

The job got its name because early oil field workers were known for being tough, hardworking people who didn't mind getting dirty or doing demanding physical labor. While modern roughnecks use advanced technology and safety equipment, the work still requires grit and determination.

The word can also describe someone who acts rough or crude, without much polish or refinement. If someone calls a person a roughneck in this sense, they usually mean the person is unrefined or rowdy, though not necessarily in a completely negative way. Like the oil rig workers, they're tough around the edges.