Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Saying ·159 of 348
"Jack of all trades, master of none."
They never said that.
What people say
"Jack of all trades, master of none."
What was actually said
"Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than master of one." Anonymous — English proverb, 17th century (second clause 19th-century expansion)
Why it stuck
The shorter first half became standard; the expansion ("oftentimes better than master of one") is often cited online as original. It is a later, approving addition.
The single-clause form appears in Robert Greene, 1592 ("johannes fac totum") and applied to Shakespeare himself.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.