"shade-tree," adj.

[Benjamin Zimmer]

On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 05:46:46 -0700, Jonathan Lighter
<wuxxmupp2000 at YAHOO.COM> wrote:

>OED doesn't list the Southern phrase, "shade-tree mechanic," meaning
>"an amateur mechanic who stereotypically works in the shade of backyard
>trees."
>
>"Shade-tree," adj., has now been used to mean "amateur," with a broader
>application :
>
>2000 James V. Smith, Jr. _Force Recon : Death Wind_ (N.Y.: Berkley,
>2000) 207 And he knew enough shade-tree psychology to know that he
>would return to being a smart-ass.

Did this start off as a Texan expression?  The earliest cites I can find
on Newspaperarchive are all from Texas papers.


* 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

-----
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.
-----



--Ben Zimmer