"shade-tree mechanic", not in (some) dictionaries

[Gerald Walton]

At 09:58 AM 2/25/2009, Paul wrote: I'm 74 and have heard this most of
my life, I always thought it was a standard description of a poor
person, no garage, (why they're under the
>shade tree) and in addition the shade tree would have a big enough
>branch you could sling a rope over it and pull the engine.
>This came from back when it was standard engine repair to do a valve
>job or replace engine bearings.

Same here, even to the age 74.
Gerald

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