subs. (naval).—An ironclad: cf. TINCLAD.
Adj. phr. (colloquial).—Generic for shoddy. Thus a TIN-POT (= poor or pretentious) GAME; TIN-POT (= shabby) LOT; TIN-POT (= mean) COMPANY; IN A TIN-POT WAY = in poor or worthless fashion. Also (American) TIN-HORN.
1876. BESANT and RICE, The Golden Butterfly, xviii. I shall have information of every dodge goin’, from an emperor’s ambition to a TIN-POT company bubble.
1887. F. FRANCIS, Jun., Saddle and Moccasin, ix. 173. As to these here Californians that’s come out since then, they’re a TIN-HORN LOT compared—half Jew, half Chinaman; on’y fit to take their pleasure in a one-horse hearse.
