Tinker

Tinker is a term for a person who repairs or makes small metal household items, typically by hand. As a verb, to tinker means to attempt repairs or to experiment with machinery or devices in a casual, hands-on way.

Historically, tinkers were itinerant tinsmiths in parts of Europe who traveled to mend pots, pans, kettles, and other metalware. They were often associated with traveling communities such as Irish Travellers and Scottish Travellers. The occupation was stigmatized in some societies, and the term has at times carried pejorative connotations, though it also reflects a long-standing tradition of mobile craftwork and improvisation.

In contemporary usage, tinkering describes hobbyist or improvised experimentation with tools and objects, rather than professional repair work. The term has extended into broader senses, including software, electronics, and maker cultures. Tinker is also a surname.

In popular culture, "Tinker" appears as the name of a fictional character or figure in various media, most notably the Dota 2 video game hero named Tinker.