Definition
A false god, particularly a petty tyrant, a person who abuses or exceeds their authority over others in petty ways.
Origins
From tin's figurative sense as "worthless" or "counterfeit" in relation to silver and god's use for idols.
In Context
- "Wherefore the Little Tin Gods harried their little tin souls, / Seeing he came not from Chatham, jingled no spurs at his heels; […]"
- "In Prussia alone there are 492 Landräte—a sort of district commissioner—all Government officials or directly in touch with the central government, and all little tin gods in their own district."
- "[Frank Lloyd Wright] was regarded by members of the [Taliesin] fellowship as somewhat of an idol, a tin god, or a master, who could do no wrong."
- "ELIAS: Well, Doctor, I've been thinking about what sort of work I could assign you to. MCCOY: What do you mean, what sort of work? I'm a doctor. ELIAS: Not any more, of course. We don't need you. Not as a doctor. MCCOY: Oh, no? Would you like to see just how fast I can put you in a hospital? ELIAS: I am the leader of this colony. I'll assign you to whatever work I think is suitable. MCCOY: Just a minute. You'd better make me a mechanic. Then I can treat little tin gods like you. (He punches Elias.)"