Soldier, Sailor , Tinker's Dam(n)

[Longbranch 1]

All,

I am looking for help with the words to this poem/song (your experience), and any references that might apply.
My own knowledge is at this time limited to my GGrandmother's rendition from the 1960's.

At the least, someone can define ( "a tinker's dam" ) ?

Most appreciatively,
Kevin Ellis,
26th NC

[yeoman]

Re: Soldier, Sailor , Tinker's Dam(n)

Sir, making a google search "soldier,sailor, tinker's dam" I got, referring to material placed around something to be soldered so that the molten metel would not spill, "the tinker dam" then had to be disposed of making it worthless once it had been used. Also try http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/12/ this site has other "tinker's dam" meanings along with other phrase meanings, hope this helps, thanks.

[P. M. Cunningham, Tinner]

Re: Soldier, Sailor , Tinker's Dam(n)

... referring to material placed around something to be soldered so that the molten metel would not spill, "the tinker dam" then had to be disposed of making it worthless once it had been used.

This tends to be the common defintion of a "tinker's dam", however it doesn't work. Pacthing of goods are done by simply applying a drop of solder directly to the work from a soldering copper. If the repair is to big for that a seperate patch of metal is soldered to the piece.

While working at Sturbridge years ago, we came across the term "dam" being used in reference to prostitutes. Since tinkers by nature of being itinerent are not looked upon highly, their providers of certain services would be ranked below them. The term "not worth a tinker's dam" seems to have more reference to a persons social status as not being that high.

There are other definitions I have heard over the years,but this one seems to make the most sense.

Patrick Cunningham

[Doughboy]

Re: Soldier, Sailor , Tinker's Dam(n)

patrick
can you contact me at:
antifarb@hotmail.com
your PM box is full
Thanks

[dixieflyer]

Re: Soldier, Sailor , Tinker's Dam(n)

Patrick is right, just as a dam holds back water for a mill, a tinker's dam holds the liquid in the repaired vessel. Additionally, a "tinker's dam" is a small repair, not much to it in terms of material or time, therefore, if it isn't worth a tinker's dam, then there can't be much to it.

HTH,