tinker's cuss

noun

, British.

1. tinker's damn ( def 1 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of tinker's cuss¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

“But with a never-ending supply”—Uncle Brian glugged his sherry—“who gives a tinker’s cuss? No, no, it's you shopfolk that my heart goes out to. This recession'll bleed the high street dry before it's finished. Quote me on that.”

From Literature

O "Englishman in Paris," do not think That I refer to your amusing book; I write of those who do not care "a tinker's cuss" for look!

From Project Gutenberg

"I don't give a tinker's cuss either way, son," Abramovich told the Italian.

From The Guardian

"He was called vermin by a Cabinet Minister and told he did not matter a tinker's cuss."

From Time Magazine Archive

The Vatican, like Communist leaders, doesn't care a tinker's cuss for the individual; it is interested only in extending its tyranny over the minds of men.

From Time Magazine Archive