What Tennessee Ernie Ford's famous (or infamous, depending on whether or not da judging individual stepped aside when he saw said burly personage coming) pick-and-shovel-wielding character possessed --- sixteen times over per day, in fact.
Thanks to da Fair Labor Standards Act, miners' tonacity does indeed relieve them of "owing their soul to the company store".
A small piece of information. Derived from the word ken, used often in the scottish language and is synonymous with knowledge.
Person 1: "Hey I don't get this shit. How do you solve this problem?"
Person 2: "I got that one. Give me some kenlets on this assignment and I'll help you w/ that one."