"Jack of all trades, master of none" is a figure of speech used in reference to a person who has dabbled in many skills, rather than gaining expertise by focusing on only one.
They may be a master of integration: an individual who knows enough from many learned trades and skills to be able to bring the disciplines together in a practical manner.
[5][6][additional citation(s) needed] In 1612, the phrase appeared in the book "Essays and Characters of a Prison" by English writer Geffray Mynshul (Minshull),[7] originally published in 1618,[8] and was probably based on the author's experience while held at Gray's Inn, London, when imprisoned for debt.
[citation needed] The "master of none" element appears to have been added in the late 18th century;[2] it made the statement less flattering to the person receiving it.
Today, "Jack of all trades, master of none" generally describes a person whose knowledge, while covering a number of areas, is superficial in all of them.