tinker's damn

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Definition

Noun: * Something of little or no value; a negligible amount: The phrase "tinker's damn" refers to something considered utterly worthless or insignificant. It is used to express extreme disregard or contempt for the value of an object, promise, or statement.

Usage and Examples

The term is almost exclusively used in the negative idiomatic construction "not give/care a tinker's damn" or "not worth a tinker's damn". * "not give/care a tinker's damn": To be completely unconcerned or indifferent. * He doesn't give a tinker's damn about what people think of him. * The corporation didn't care a tinker's damn for the environmental impact. * "not worth a tinker's damn": To be completely worthless or useless. * That old car isn't worth a tinker's damn anymore. * His opinion on the matter isn't worth a tinker's damn.

Advanced Usage and Notes
  • The phrase is considered a mild oath or minced oath, historically serving as a euphemistic alternative to the stronger profanity "not give a damn."
  • Its origin is attributed to tinkers (itinerant repairers of pots and pans), whose work was considered rough and whose curses or promises were thought to be of little value or durability.
  • Common variant spellings include "tinker's dam". The "dam" version sometimes references a small, temporary plug of clay or bread used by tinkers to hold solder, which was discarded after use, reinforcing the idea of worthlessness.
Variants and Related Words
  • Tinker's dam: A common variant spelling. (See note in Advanced Usage).
  • Tinker: (n) A traveling mender of metal household utensils.
Synonyms
  • A fig: (as in "not care a fig")
  • A hoot: (as in "not give a hoot")
  • Two hoots: (as in "not give two hoots")
  • A straw: (as in "not care a straw")
Related Idioms
  • Not worth a damn: A more common and direct synonym.
  • Not worth a red cent: Emphasizes having no monetary value.
  • Not worth the paper it's printed on: Often said of a worthless contract or promise.
  • Not give/care a damn: The more standard, and often stronger, profane form of the expression.
Noun
  1. something of little value
    • his promise is not worth a damn
    • not worth one red cent
    • not worth shucks

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