Definition of the word cobbler

The word "cobbler" originated in Middle English, during the late 1300s. It originally referred to a person who mended and repaired shoes and other leather items, such as saddles and horse harnesses. The term "cobblestones" also has its roots in this time, as the cobblers would sharpen their tools on smooth stones called cobbles, which were commonly found in or near the places where they worked. The word "cobbler" comes from the Old English word "cāpel," which meant a worker in leather or fabric. This term evolved into "chapel" in Middle English, which, in turn, led to the modern term "chapman," which eventually came to mean a traveling merchant or peddler. The use of the term "cobbler" to describe a person who made shoes, rather than just someone who repaired them, developed during the 16th century. This shift in meaning may have been influenced by the Modern French term "coblerie," which referred to the making and selling of shoes. Over time, the meaning of the word "cobbler" has expanded beyond shoemakers to include other occupations, such as people who work with fabric or crafts made from materials other than leather. However, in modern times, the term "cobbler" is primarily used to describe a person who makes or repairs shoes.