dabster

American  

[dab-ster] / ˈdæb stər /

noun

1. Slang.  an expert.

2. Informal.  a person who works in a superficial or clumsy manner; dabbler.

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dabster British  

/ ˈdæbstə /

noun

1. a dialect word for dab hand

2. informal  an incompetent or amateurish worker; bungler

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Etymology

Origin of dabster

First recorded in 1700–10; dab ³ + -ster

Example Sentences

Dabster, Shivermetimbers and Sonneteer were early scratches because of the sloppy track conditions.

From Los Angeles Times

Fortunately, Mr Bhosh, as a dabster in English composition, was a pastmaster in drawing a petition, and, sitting down, he constructed the following:— To Those Most Worshipful Bigheads In control of Jockeys Club.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, said I, I'm not much of a dabster at it, but if the stake ain't high, I don't care if I do take a fling or two; so down we set to it, and they pulled out their cards for loo.

From Project Gutenberg

"You're a dabster at that, Billy."

From Project Gutenberg

And of Dr Dabster, “an unco bitter body when there was a sma’ collection,” to whom, before the sermon began, the beadle used to hand a slip of paper with the amount collected, we are told that one day when the whole collection only reached two shillings and ninepence, he stopped suddenly in his discourse and said, with biting sarcasm, “It’s the land o’ Canawn ye’re thrang strivin’ after; the land o’ Canawn, eh?

From Project Gutenberg