tinker would construct a charcoal furnace out of bricks and mud. At the bottom, he would leave a hole for the molten metal to pour out into a trough that led to a casting or a depression for an ingot. The hole was covered with a temporary 'dam' which would be broken when the liquid metal had puddled at the bottom of the furnace. The function of the blockage coined the word 'tinker's dam' as being something that only lasted temporarily, as it was to be destroyed or made useless in the very near future. See also Mercheros Irish Travellers Scottish Travellers Tinsmith Tinker, Tailor; a traditional children's counting game References External links Scottish Travellers Irish Travellers Romani culture Metalworkers