cobbler

From earlier cobelere, late 14th century, of unknown origin.

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cobbler (plural cobblers)

1. A person who makes and repairs shoes.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Addison to this entry?)

2. A person who lays cobbles; a roadworker.
3. A kind of pie, usually filled with fruit, that lacks a crust at the base.
4. (slang, usually in the plural) A police officer.

   Look out: it's the cobblers!.

5. An alcoholic drink containing spirit or wine, with sugar and lemon juice.
   • 1858 June, Asirvadam the Brahmin, in The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 2, Number 1,

     In the creed of Asirvadam the Brahmin, the drinker of strong drink is a Pariah, and the eater of cow's flesh is damned already. If, then, he can tell a cocktail from a cobbler, and scientifically discriminate between a julep and a gin-sling, it must be because the Vedas are unclasped to him; for in the Vedas all things are taught.

6. (obsolete) A clumsy workman.
   • 1599, William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, I. i. 11:

     Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I / am but, as you would say, a cobbler.

• (person who repairs shoes): shoemender, shoe repairer, shoemaker (person making or repairing shoes)
• (police officer): see Thesaurus:police officer

• clobber