The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PROVERBIAL COMPARISON

HE'S A SIMPLE TOOL.

Submitter comment: THIS EXPRESSION IS USED BY MASONS AND BRICKLAYERS TO
DESCRIBE A PERSON THAT CAN'T DO MANY COMPLICATED THINGS.
IT REFERS TO A CROW BAR OR A HAMMER, OR ANOTHER SIMPLE
TOOL THAT ANYONE CAN USE, THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE MUCH
SKILL TO USE. THE INFORMANT SAID THAT HE HAS HEARD THIS
FROM MASONS AND BRICKLAYERS IN ALABAMA, GEORGIA, AND
TENNESSEE DURING THE PAST TWENTY YEARS (1950S-1970S).

Where learned: ALABAMA ; GEORGIA ; TENNESSEE