jackleg

[ jak-leg ]

/ ˈdʒækˌlɛg /

Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.

unskilled or untrained for one's work; amateur: a jackleg electrician.

unscrupulous or without the accepted standards of one's profession: a jackleg lawyer.

makeshift; temporary.

an unskilled or unscrupulous itinerant worker or practitioner.

Origin of jackleg

1840–50, Americanism; perhaps jack¹ + (black)leg

But she did not believe they were well rid of Ratty just because he had started for Jackleg Station.

Frances of the Ranges |Amy Bell Marlowe
This train that was stopping to cast loose the special car at Jackleg was the last to stop at that station at night.

Frances of the Ranges |Amy Bell Marlowe
She and her guest were talking about the forthcoming pageant at the Jackleg schoolhouse.

Frances of the Ranges |Amy Bell Marlowe
I reports an' asks instructions as to the best way of disposin' of Mr. Jackleg's remains.

Yellowstone Nights |Herbert Quick

"Well, explain fully what you understand a jackleg carpenter to be," insisted the lawyer.

Toasts |William Pittenger