2599: cobbler vs cordwainer Jan 26, 2022

Despite the misconception, a cobbler is not the traditional term for a shoe-maker, but a shoe-fixer. The shoe-maker was actually referred to as a 'cordwainer'. Indeed, the fact that the shoes were, as it were, cobbled together, is why this name denotes the repair. This was considered less serious work, and did not only relate to shoes once, but to anything hastily crafted. That said, the origins of 'cobble' itself aren't entirely clear.