Shade tree mechanic (1942)

[Beverly Flanigan]

My uncle was a "shade tree (auto) mechanic" in Minnesota in the '40s and
'50s, but I don't recall that it had any negative connotations; in fact, he
was in great demand.

At 04:20 PM 12/8/2006, you wrote:
>I've found some 1940s cites and I'm about to add this to my Texas  page.
>....
>....
>....
>15 October 1942, Ada (OK) <i>Evening News</i>, pg. 7:
>Even though you may just have been a "shade tree mechanic," tinkering with
>machinery, or electricity, or similar activities, the Air Corps can develop
>this  into the skill it takes to "Beat the Axis."
>
>26 October 1944, Brainerd (MN) <i>Daily Dispatch</i>, pg. 12  ad:
>If you want this service, we have factory trained mechanics, no "shade tree
>mechanics."
>
>16 July 1945, Fresno (CA) <i>Bee</i>, pg 8:
>George Le Roux, former twilight leaguer and semipro, is a fair shade tree
>mechanic, painter and whatnot besides being a salesman.
>....
>....
>....
>
>* shade-tree engineer
>
>-----
>1953 _Valley Morning Star_  (Harlingen, Tex.) 5 May 3/1 Drillers started
>working on the test hole Sunday,  and by Monday there was quite a group of
>shade tree engineers offering  advice, criticism and suggestions as to
>where the well should have been  drilled, how deep it should go and what
>kind of water could be expected. ...  "You will have to go down 360 feet to
>find water in this location," one of  the shade tree engineers told the
>driller.
>-----
>
>* shade-tree  mechanic
>
>8 December 1954, Albuquerque (NM) <i>Journal</i>, pg. 25  (Sear's ad):
>Thoughtful gift for your "shade tree mechanic."
>-----
>1957 _Commerce  Journal_ (Commerce, Tex.) 30 Jul. 1/1 Local officers were
>of the opinion  color and model of the vehicle would prevent extensive joy
>riding, although  it was pointed out that such cars are prized by youthful
>shade-tree mechanics  who convert in to hot-rod racing cars.
>-----
>1958 _Panola Watchman_  (Carthage, Tex.) 25 Sep. 5/1 The simple mechanism
>of the model "A" made it  possible for any shade tree mechanic to repair it
>only with a knuckle busting  wrench, a pair of pliers, and an adequate
>supply of bailing  wire.
>-----
>
>* shade-tree beauty operator (nonce  form)
>
>-----
>1958 _Commerce Journal_ (Commerce. Tex.) 3 Jul. 2/1 Shade  tree beauty
>operators come off second best in a hair-dyeing rally staged  Monday
>afternoon.
>-----
>-----
>1985 _Dallas Morning News_ 30 Aug. 8B (Factiva) Ken Hatfield,  that
>shade-tree philosopher of the Ozarks, begs to differ.
>-----
>1986  _Houston Chronicle_ 20 Apr. (Sports) 3 (Factiva) A pearl from that
>shade tree  philosopher, 1985 Houston Open winner Raymond Floyd.
>-----
>2002 E.J.  COTTON _Hobo_ 116 The old fart was a shade tree philosopher.
>Defined as: One  who resists idle chatter; one who has the ability to
>entertain or extract  deeper meaning or said "philosophy" from any
>situation, in any setting at any  time of day; a self-proclaimed wise man;
>a term most probably borrowed from  "shade tree mechanic."
><_http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1400048095/_
>(http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1400048095/) >
>
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