bucket of steam noun a mythical task for a newly hired helper on a job US
— Charles F. Haywood, YankeeDictionary, pp. 19–20, 1963
The usual leg-pulling was inflicted on new starters; the more gullible were sent to the stores for a bucket of steam, a packet of big ends or side rods[.] — Frank McKenna, RailwayWorkers1840–1970, p. 114, 1980