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Years ago, only men were in the vocations (plumber, painter, carpenter, etc). So the expression "Jack of all trades" referred to a man who was good at all kinds of things-- a little of this, and a little of that. But in addition to a positive meaning (a man who is versatile), it was also used sarcastically-- "Jack of all trades, master of none"-- in other words, the man knows a little of this and a little of that, but isn't very good at any of them.

These days, as more women enter the trades, you may sometimes hear the female version, "Jill of all trades," rather than the male version.

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13y ago

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