Are you looking for a way to describe a person that’s good at a range of activities? Maybe you need a saying to describe someone with a surface understanding of many topics but doesn’t specialize in their knowledge” If so, you can use “Jack of all trades.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
A “Jack of all trades” refers to someone with a broad knowledge base on many different topics. It can also refer to a handyman that has experience fixing a wide range of problems.
The phrase may also refer to someone with a surface-level understanding of many subjects but no specialization. In this case, you would use the longer version, “a Jack of all trades, but a master of none.”
Example Usage
“The window needs replacing. Call the handyman, he’s a Jack of all trades, and I’m sure he’ll fix it in no time.”
“It’s pointless having a base knowledge in all these skills but no specialization. You’re a Jack of all trades but a master of none.?
“I spent years bouncing from job to job and never really developed any real skillset. You could say I’m a Jack of all trades but a master of none.”
“I can handle anything to do with home maintenance. I’m a Jack of all trades.”
Origin
The origin of the expression "Jack of all trades" comes from the early 1600s. Geffray Minshull was the first to use the phrase in his "Essayes and characters of a prison and prisoners," published in 1612. The work described his experience in prison and appeared as the following in his work.
"Some broken Cittizen, who hath plaid Jack of all trades."
The 18th century saw the first variation, the more modern format of "Jack of all trades, master of none."
Martin Clifford, the headmaster of Charterhouse School, wrote a series of notes on Dryden's poems in 1677. The phrase appears as follows.
"Your Writings are like a Jack of all Trades Shop, they have Variety, but nothing of value."
The phrase would also appear in "The Gentleman's Magazine" in 1770 as the following.
"Jack at all trades, is seldom good at any."
The earliest use of the modern version of the saying appears in "Pharmacomastix," written by Charles Lucas in 1785, where it appears as follows.
"The very Druggist, who in all other nations in Europe is but Pharmacopola, a mere drug-merchant, is with us, not only a physician and chirurgeon, but also a Galenic and Chemic apothecary; a seller of druggs, medicines, vertices, oils, paints or colours poysons, &c. a Jack of all trades, and in truth, master of none."
Phrases Similar to Jack of All Trades
- A good all-rounder.
- Odd-job man.
- Renaissance man.
Phrases Opposite to Jack of All Trades
- Specialist professional.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Jack of all trades.
- Jack of all trades, master of none.
Ways People May Say Jack of All Trades Incorrectly
It’s common for people to use the abbreviated format of the saying. The full version is “Jack of all trades, master of none.”
Some people may phrase it incorrectly as “Jack of all trades, master of all trades,” but that is incorrect.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Jack of All Trades
You can use “jack of all trades” to describe someone with good general knowledge but no specialization in anything they know.
It’s a way of telling someone they have a surface understanding of many subjects. Still, their knowledge doesn’t benefit their life in any way.
The saying suits professional and social use. You could use it at work to describe someone who is a good all-around player but lacks specialized skills that add value to the company.
You can use it with friends when you’re telling someone that they don’t have the skill set required to make any difference to an outcome.