intrusive person; busybody
Rare set phrase literally meaning 'a tinker's shoulder pole'. It figuratively describes someone who meddles or intrudes into others' affairs, likening them to a tinker's pole that pokes into everything. The literal meaning is included as a gloss for reference.
He pokes his nose into other people's business just like a tinker's shoulder pole.
A common word for a meddlesome person or act. 鋳掛け屋の天秤棒 is a rare, colorful set phrase with the same meaning.
Standard kanji spelling for this set phrase.
Variant spelling without the okurigana け.
The phrase derives from the image of a tinker (鋳掛け屋) carrying a shoulder pole (天秤棒) with tools and pots hanging from both ends, which would easily bump into or poke passersby in crowded streets. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but the expression is used figuratively for an intrusive person.