Tinker

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A photograph of a tinker by Ignacy Krieger, 19th century

Tinker or tinkerer is an archaic term for an
itinerant tinsmith who mends household utensils.

Description
Tinker for metal-worker is attested from the 13th
century as tyckner or tinkler.[1] Some travelling
groups and Romani people specialised in the trade,
and the name was particularly associated with
indigenous Irish Travellers and Scottish Highland
Traveller. However, this use is considered
offensive.[2]

The term "tinker", in British English, may refer to a

mischievous child.[2] Some modern-day nomads
with an English, an Irish or a Scottish influence call
themselves "techno-tinkers" or "technogypsies"
and are found to possess a revival of sorts of the
romantic view of the tinker's lifestyle.[3]

Tinker's dam
A tinker's dam is a temporary patch to repair a
hole in a metal vessel, such as a pot or a pan. It
was used by tinkers and was usually made of mud
or clay, or sometimes other materials at hand, such
as wet paper. The material was built up around the
outside of the hole, so as to plug it. Molten solder
was then poured on the inside of the hole. The
solder cooled and solidified against the dam and
bonded with the metal wall. The dam was then
brushed away. The remaining solder was then
rasped and smoothed down by the tinker.[4][5]
In the Practical Dictionary of Mechanics of 1877,
Edward Knight gives this definition: "Tinker's-dam:
a wall of dough raised around a place which a
plumber desires to flood with a coat of solder. The
material can be but once used; being consequently
thrown away as worthless".[6]

Tinker's curse
The common use of "tinker's dam" may have
influenced the English phrase tinker's curse, which
expresses contempt. The phrases tinker's damn
and tinker's curse may also be applied to
something considered insignificant. An example: "I
don't give a tinker's curse what the doctor thinks",
sometimes shortened to, "I don't give a tinker's
about the doctor." A tinker's curse or cuss was
considered of little significance because tinkers
(who worked with their hands near hot metal)
were reputed to swear (curse) habitually.[6]

See also
Mercheros
Irish Travellers
Scottish Travellers
Tinsmith

References
1. "Full text of 'Scottish Gypsies under the
Stewarts' " . archive.org.
 2. "Tinker" . Collins English Dictionary
(Complete & Unabridged 11th ed.). Retrieved
24 October 2012.
3. McGowan, Leaf & Baurley, Thomas (2005).
Techno-Gypsies, Techno-Nomads, and
Techno-Tinkers. Seattle, Washington-: Tree
Leaves Publishing.
4. "A Tinker's dam" . usingenglish.com.
5. Bonner, John & Curtis, George William (1905).
"Tinkers" . Harper's Weekly. 49. p. 1424.
Retrieved 2 April 2012.
6. Martin, Gary. "Tinker's Dam" . The Phrase
Finder.

External links
 Media related to Tinkers at Wikimedia
Commons

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