Ask HN: Word for Jack of All Trades

#1

Post by beefield » Sun, Aug 07, 2022, 6:49 AM UTC

Some time ago I remember seeing here at HN an excellent word for a type of (startup) employee that:

- likes to solve - and is good at solving - all kinds of problems.

- once the problem is solved, is not jealous about it, but is happy pass the solution for someone else to polish and maintain

- dislikes routine work

And so forth. Unfortunately I can't recall it anymore. There was even a career site mentioned that was dedicated for/named after these kind of folks. Closest my research brings up is CWTFO ( https://klinger.io/posts/joining-hypergrowth-startups-%F0%9F%98%AC ) But it is not the word I am looking for - and neither is jack of all trades.

Anyone happen to remember what I am looking for?

Re: Ask HN: Word for Jack of All Trades

#2

Post by tempxyz » Sun, Aug 07, 2022, 6:55 AM UTC

Software developer.

Re: Ask HN: Word for Jack of All Trades

#3

Post by Kaibeezy » Sun, Aug 07, 2022, 6:58 AM UTC

Generalist

Re: Ask HN: Word for Jack of All Trades

#4

Post by ruskyhacker » Sun, Aug 07, 2022, 7:01 AM UTC

Polymath

Re: Ask HN: Word for Jack of All Trades

#5

Post by JonChesterfield » Sun, Aug 07, 2022, 7:06 AM UTC

That's an engineer.

Re: Ask HN: Word for Jack of All Trades

#6

Post by beefield » Sun, Aug 07, 2022, 7:42 AM UTC

Kaibeezy wrote: post #3

Generalist

The word I am looking for was a bit "catchier"

Re: Ask HN: Word for Jack of All Trades

#7

Post by el_snark » Sun, Aug 07, 2022, 8:10 AM UTC

Probably not what you're looking for, but I'll throw in Renaissance Man as another synonym.

Re: Ask HN: Word for Jack of All Trades

#8

Post by FatalLogic » Sun, Aug 07, 2022, 8:16 AM UTC

code ninja? rockstar developer?

Re: Ask HN: Word for Jack of All Trades

#9

Post by Kaibeezy » Sun, Aug 07, 2022, 9:06 AM UTC

beefield wrote: post #6

Kaibeezy wrote: post #3

Generalist

The word I am looking for was a bit "catchier"

Shortstop

Re: Ask HN: Word for Jack of All Trades

#10

Post by necovek » Sun, Aug 07, 2022, 10:07 AM UTC

Is that really not everyone?

Who is an engineer that excitedly looks forward to that final 10% of polish and maintenance? (I do it because I look forward to shipping things, and ofc pay)

What engineer enjoys routine work? Oh, lovely, I'll go and clean up comments in the code today... for a tenth day again.

The only distinction that seems to make any sense seems to be that they are "good at solving" all kinds of problems.

I'd call those "good engineers".

Edit: I seriously hope you are not looking for "10x engineer"!