English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
Need a SHOEMAKER or a COBBLER?
I need a shoemaker to repair this pair of shoes (nonstandard).
I need a cobbler to repair this pair of shoes (standard).
A person who repairs shoes is a cobbler.
He is a cobbler and he makes good shoes (general).
He is a shoemaker and he makes good shoes (specific).
A person or company that makes shoes and other footwear as a profession is a shoemaker. While the meaning of “cobbler” can extend to someone who makes shoes, a shoemaker does not mend shoes.
Dr GAB
