tinker's damn

American  

Or tinker's dam

noun

1. the least value or merit; nothing or anything at all.

   It's not worth a tinker's damn.

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idioms

1. care / give a tinker's damn, to have or feel little or no concern; be unaffected or unmoved.

   I don't care a tinker's damn for their opinions.

tinker's damn British  

noun

1. slang the slightest heed (esp in the phrase not give a tinker's damn or cuss )

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Etymology

Origin of tinker's damn

First recorded in 1830–40; from tinkers' alleged habit of cursing frequently (hence weakening the force of a curse)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tinker's damn

Critics will respond: Most voters do not give a tinker’s damn about such matters.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 11, 2016

“No one except the press gives a tinker’s damn about protecting the people’s right to know. The general public really doesn’t care.”

From Washington Times ● Sep. 2, 2016

And, the writer shows no evidence of giving even a tinker's damn about the actual game of basketball, which, is a wonderful game.

From New York Times ● Jan. 21, 2016

There’s an angry-looking man behind the end of the bar in Costello’s and he’s saying to a customer, I don’t give a tinker’s damn if you have ten pee haitch dees.

From The New Yorker ● Feb. 15, 1999

That he will be able to get the nomination I am not so sure; but he does not care a tinker's damn whether he gets it himself or not.

From Letters of Franklin K. Lane by Wall, Louise Herrick