The phrase "not give a tinkers damn" is a colloquialism used to express a lack of concern or interest in something. The spelling of the phrase is based on the pronunciation, with the word "tinkers" being pronounced with a short "i" vowel sound, as in "ih," and the word "damn" being pronounced with a long "a" vowel sound, as in "ay." In IPA phonetic transcription, the pronunciation would be [nɑt ɡɪv ə ˈtɪŋkərz dæm].
The phrase "not give a tinker's damn" is an idiomatic expression that conveys a complete lack of concern or indifference about something. It is often used to describe a person's attitude or reaction towards a particular situation or individual.
The term "tinker" refers to a person who repairs or makes small household items, and "damn" is a mild expression of disdain or disregard. In this context, the phrase originated from the belief that tinkers, as itinerant workers, had a reputation for hasty and often sloppy repairs that were of little value or importance.
To "not give a tinker's damn" means to have no interest, regard, or concern for someone or something. It denotes a complete lack of care or attention, indicating that the subject holds no significance or importance in the speaker's mind. It implies that the person using this phrase does not value or place any importance on the matter at hand.
The expression is often used in spoken language to convey a casual and dismissive attitude. It can be employed in various contexts, such as expressing nonchalance towards a trivial matter, disregarding someone's opinion or request, or denoting a lack of emotional investment in a situation. Overall, "not giving a tinker's damn" suggests a state of indifference and disinterest towards the subject being discussed.