Notes: I had always thought that a tinker, as a mender of household
utensils, was so-called because of his work with tin. Not so, accord-
ing to the A.D. 1913 version of Webster's. Webster gives the follow-
ing etymology and definitions for "tinker":
[From "tink", because the tinker's way of proclaiming his trade
is to beat a kettle, or because in his work he makes a tinkling
noise. Samuel Johnson.
1. A mender of brass kettles, pans, and other metal ware.
"Tailors and tinkers." Piers Plowman.
2. One skilled in a variety of small mechanical work.
3. (Ordnance) A small mortar on the end of a staff.]
It may have been noted that, especially in Ireland, the term tinker
and Gypsy were virtually synonymous.
A more recent Webster's cites the first reference to "tinker's
damn" circa 1876.
At the risk of appearing to regress, Mother Goose weighed in on
this subject long ago in this wise:
"Tinker, Tailor,
Soldier, Sailor,
Rich man, Poor man,
Beggar man, Thief!"
and again:
Brinker, Tinker
Jack of all things.
Don't go golf pro,
Till Fat Lady sings.
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