tinhorn

comparative more tinhorn · superlative most tinhorn · alternative tin-horn

1. USCheap, inferior; pretentious.

plural tinhorns · alternative tin-horn

1. USA contemptible or pretentious person, especially one who gambles for low stakes.

   I'm to deliver this treaty, signed by Secretary General Tanduk Timah himself. Heh. 'Tanduk Timah' in Bahasa Malay means 'Tin Horn.' How apt.

   2009 February 12, Sandy Sandfort, Scott Bieser, Lee Oaks, “Escape from Terra”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)

   1 more example

   “[…] Them rich fellers, they don't make no bad breaks with their money. They watch it all th' time b'cause they know blame well there ain't hardly room fer their feet fer th' pikers an' tin-horns an' thimble-riggers what are layin' fer 'em. […]”

   1899, Stephen Crane, chapter 1, in Twelve O'Clock