Jack of all trades

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"Jack of all trades, master of none" is a figure of speech used in reference to a person who has dabbled in many skills, rather than gaining expertise by focusing on only one. In older uses of the phrase, it was meant as a criticism of a person who tries their hand at too many things and perhaps does not do a good job at any of them. The expression eventually became dissociated from its pejorative use. In the 19th century, "a jack of all trades" was often used as a compliment for a person who is good at fixing things and has a good level of broad knowledge. They may be a master of integration: an individual who knows enough from many learned trades and skills to be able to bring the disciplines together in a practical manner. This person is a generalist rather than a specialist. A jack of all trades that is highly skilled in many disciplines is known as a polymath. The use of the phrase has been much debated online and has been the subject of much misconception. Some, like Gary Martin,...

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