tinker tailor grass

English

Etymology

From its use in counting or choosing games, especially those used to divine the profession of a future sweetheart ("tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor…").

Noun

tinker tailor grass (countable and uncountable, plural tinker tailor grasses)

  1. (regional) Any of several types of grass-like plant having individual ears or seeds, especially ryegrass (genus Lolium), or ribwort plantain (genus Plantago).
    • 1984, Janet Frame, An Angel at my Table, Virago, published 2024, page 171:
      At Fifty-six Eden Street the parched front lawn was scattered with dry cocksfoot seeds and faded tinker-tailor grass.
    • 2012, Durelle Dean, Ravaged Innocence, page 82:
      I'd make a daisy chain for the fairies or play with the tinker tailor grass, or just dream the time away.
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