The phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none” is thought to have originated in the 14th century. Working class men or “the common man” were often referred to collectively as ‘Jack’, a variant of John and were known to work all hours, doing odd jobs on top of their main employment to increase their income. A farmer might try gardening, swapping his plow for pliers, or a market trader might do some painting and decorating, pulling the paintbrush out of the toolbox, and taking it for an experimental spin.
