Wordie: Tinker: Comments

Comment by yarb, 3 months ago

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 06:29:14 +0000

Citation on splodge (in the sense of gypsy).

Comment by gangerh, 8 months ago

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:06:15 +0000

Maybe a tinker just tinks.

Comment by sionnach, 9 months ago

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:33:39 +0000

To me, tinkerer and tinker have different meanings, even when tinker is being used as a noun.

Comment by bilby, 9 months ago

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:09:44 +0000

I can see the rule and I also note that English has never shied at having exceptions to rules: that which deters is a deterrent and so on. Tinker sounds fine to me and most dictionaries seem to prefer it to tinkerer. I associate it more with the profession than backyard mechanics, doesn't seem quite the same thing.
This word has a wonderful metallic sound to it.

Comment by sionnach, 9 months ago

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 04:51:57 +0000

tinkerer is not just 'probably closer'; it's correct. Use of tinker to denote both the action and its practitioner, on the other hand, is just a recipe for confusion. Someone who bickers is a bickerer, someone who puckers is a puckerer. The rule seems pretty straightforward.

Comment by seanahan, 9 months ago

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 04:19:09 +0000

I see nothing wrong the use of tinker as described by WordNet. tinkerer is probably closer, but I'd understand both.

Comment by bilby, 9 months ago

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:25:30 +0000

It's never over until Tinkerbell tinks.

Comment by uselessness, 9 months ago

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:12:09 +0000

I'm not sure about that, but one probably wouldn't want to be a tinker without a tinkerbell around. To stay alert, or something.

Comment by bilby, 9 months ago

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:00:34 +0000

Right, WrongNet. I've been having a thlink about tinker, who could conceivably be one who goes to the urinal for a tinkle and then finds himself (the herselfs are seated in Better Realms, surely) afflicted by aridity. Left holding the bag, as it were. Whaddyareckon?

Comment by uselessness, 9 months ago

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 23:50:28 +0000

It can't make mistakes. It's a machine, that's not its way. Clearly, you're confusing it with its cousin, WrongNET.

Comment by bilby, 9 months ago

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:25:52 +0000

Vot voz VeirdNET tinking ov?

Comment by sionnach, 9 months ago

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:07:29 +0000

Weirdnet is clearly wrong on this, mixing up the verb tinker and the noun tinkerer, one who enjoys tinkering.

Tinker is also the non-PC term used in Ireland for a member of the travellers, or gypsies.