TINKER Meaning and
Definition
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A tinker is someone who repairs or makes minor alterations to various objects, typically household items or machinery. The term originated from the Middle English word "tinkere," meaning "to mend." A tinker is often skilled in various trades and possesses expertise in fixing or modifying different objects. They typically work with metals, such as tin, brass, or iron, and implement their skills in soldering, welding, or hammering.
Traditionally, tinkers were itinerant workers who traveled from place to place, carrying their tools and equipment in a cart or wagon. They would visit towns and villages, offering their services to local residents. Their ability to fix broken utensils, tools, or pots was highly valued in these communities. Tinkers were also known for their talent in crafting or creating new items from metal, making goods like buckets, pans, or household utensils.
Over time, the term "tinker" expanded to include individuals involved in repairing or modifying objects of any kind, not limited to metalwork. Tinkering became a recognized skill that does not necessarily require formal training but rather relies on practical experience and problem-solving abilities. In recent years, the term has taken on a broader sense, encompassing not just manual repairs but also experimental improvisation or modification, particularly in the field of technology or electronics. Today, tinkering can refer to the act of engaging in hands-on, creative, or experimental work to modify or improve existing objects, often embracing a do-it-yourself (DIY) spirit.
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• A mender of pots and pans, especially such as are made of tin-plate; any mender or botcher.
• To work as a tinker; to patch up coarsely.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for TINKER
Etymology of TINKER
The word "tinker" originated from the Old English word "tincan", which means "to mend", "repair", or "work with metal". In medieval times, a "tinker" referred to a person who traveled from place to place repairing various household items made of metal, such as pots, pans, and utensils. The term later became associated with people who also made and sold simple metal household goods. The word "tinker" eventually became a noun to describe these itinerant metalworkers and has since been used to refer to a person who repairs or mends things, especially in an ad hoc or makeshift way.
Idioms with the word TINKER
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Tinker to Evers to Chance
The idiom "Tinker to Evers to Chance" is a phrase referring to a famous double play combination in baseball. It originally described the coordinated efforts of three players from the Chicago Cubs baseball team in the early 20th century: shortstop Joe Tinker, second baseman Johnny Evers, and first baseman Frank Chance. The phrase is often used figuratively to depict smooth or seamless teamwork, coordination, or collaboration between individuals or groups in any context.
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tinker (around) (with sth)
The idiom "tinker (around) (with sth)" means to experiment, make minor changes, or attempt to fix or improve something in a casual, unskilled or trial-and-error manner. It often refers to working with mechanical objects or systems, but can also be applied to other areas such as ideas, plans, or projects.
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tinker around
The idiom "tinker around" means to engage in minor or casual efforts to make adjustments, improvements, or repairs to something, often without a specific goal or a particular purpose in mind. It implies an exploratory or experimental approach to problem-solving or working on a task, without following a precise plan or method.
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not give a tinker's damn
The phrase "not give a tinker's damn" is an idiom used to indicate little or no concern or interest in something. It implies that the person does not care at all about the situation or outcome. The phrase originated from the term "tinker's damn," which referred to a small amount of solder used by tinkers, or traveling menders of metal household utensils and pots, to seal the seams of their wares. In the context of the phrase, the word "damn" is used as an intensifier to show the person's lack of concern.
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not give (or care) a tinker's curse (or cuss or damn)
The idiom "not give a tinker's curse (or cuss or damn)" means to not care at all about something or someone. It expresses a lack of interest, concern, or importance.
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not give a tinker's cuss
The idiom "not give a tinker's cuss" means to not care at all about something or someone, to have no concern or interest in the matter. It implies a complete lack of interest or regard. The phrase comes from the fact that tinkers, or traveling menders, were often seen as unreliable or untrustworthy, and therefore their opinions or words were not valued or cared about.
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not give a tinker's damn, at not give a tinker's cuss
To not care at all; to have no interest or concern.
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not worth a tinker's damn
The phrase "not worth a tinker's damn" is used to describe something that is completely worthless or insignificant. It originated from the fact that tinkers, who were traveling repairmen for household items, would often use small coins called "damns" to seal the holes in metal pots and pans. Since these coins were of little to no value, something that is not worth a tinker's damn is considered to be of very low worth.
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tinker's damn
The idiom "tinker's damn" refers to something of little or no value, importance, or significance. It is often used to express contempt or indifference towards something.
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not give a tinker's damn about (someone or something)
The idiom "not give a tinker's damn about (someone or something)" means to not care or be concerned at all about someone or something. It implies complete indifference or lack of interest.
Similar spelling words for TINKER
Conjugate verb Tinker
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have tinkered
you
would have tinkered
he/she/it
would have tinkered
we
would have tinkered
they
would have tinkered
I
would have tinker
you
would have tinker
he/she/it
would have tinker
we
would have tinker
they
would have tinker
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been tinkering
you
would have been tinkering
he/she/it
would have been tinkering
we
would have been tinkering
they
would have been tinkering
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would tinker
you
would tinker
he/she/it
would tinker
we
would tinker
they
would tinker
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be tinkering
you
would be tinkering
he/she/it
would be tinkering
we
would be tinkering
they
would be tinkering
FUTURE
I
will tinker
you
will tinker
he/she/it
will tinker
we
will tinker
they
will tinker
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be tinkering
you
will be tinkering
he/she/it
will be tinkering
we
will be tinkering
they
will be tinkering
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have tinkered
you
will have tinkered
he/she/it
will have tinkered
we
will have tinkered
they
will have tinkered
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been tinkering
you
will have been tinkering
he/she/it
will have been tinkering
we
will have been tinkering
they
will have been tinkering
IMPERATIVE
you
tinker
we
let´s tinker
to tinker
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was tinkering
you
were tinkering
he/she/it
was tinkering
we
were tinkering
they
were tinkering
PAST PARTICIPLE
tinkered
PAST PERFECT
I
had tinkered
you
had tinkered
he/she/it
had tinkered
we
had tinkered
they
had tinkered
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been tinkering
you
had been tinkering
he/she/it
had been tinkering
we
had been tinkering
they
had been tinkering
PRESENT
I
tinker
you
tinker
he/she/it
tinkers
we
tinker
they
tinker
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am tinkering
you
are tinkering
he/she/it
is tinkering
we
are tinkering
they
are tinkering
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
tinkering
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have tinkered
you
have tinkered
he/she/it
has tinkered
we
have tinkered
they
have tinkered
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been tinkering
you
have been tinkering
he/she/it
has been tinkering
we
have been tinkering
they
have been tinkering
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
tinker
SIMPLE PAST
I
tinkered
you
tinkered
he/she/it
tinkered
we
tinkered
they
tinkered
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