The phrase, jack of all trades, describes a particular kind of person. Jack is a very common name, originally a nickname (a diminutive in linguistics) for John. Jack represents “the common man” and appears in many English phrases and names, such as jack-in-the-box and Jack Frost. A trade is a profession. So, a “Jack of all trades” is a person with many skills or many professions.
Without the words “master of none,” it can be either a compliment or an insult.
A master is a person with the highest level of skill or knowledge in a profession. “Master of none” points out that a “Jack of all trades” does not truly master any skill or profession. So, it is usually an insult.
The idea of a “Jack of all trades” has been around since before the 1600s. It may be based on the German/Latin phrase Johannes factotum which means “Johnny do-it-all” and was an insult in the 16th century. In 1592, the English writer Robert Greene used the insult to describe a young William Shakespeare for being both an actor and a writer—but I think Shakespeare got the last laugh!
“Jack of All Trades” Used in a Sentence
- Jimmy is a jack of all trades who relishes in the challenge to solve problems.
- Try not to be a jack of all trades, master of none.
- In terms of subject area, I am unabashedly jack of all trades, master of none.
- “Jack of all trades has become somewhat of an insult, but it didn’t begin as one.”
- Last year, Gibson was a jack of all trades for Memphis as he played wide receiver, running back and returned kicks.