A cobbler is someone who makes and repairs shoes. For most of human history, cobblers were essential craftspeople in every town and village. They would take measurements of your feet, cut and shape leather, and stitch together boots and shoes that fit you perfectly. When your favorite shoes wore out, the cobbler could resole them or patch the leather to give them new life.

Before factories began mass-producing shoes in the 1800s, nearly every pair of shoes was made by hand by a skilled cobbler. The profession required years of training to master the delicate work of cutting, stitching, and shaping leather. Today, while most shoes come from factories, cobblers still exist in many cities, repairing expensive boots and dress shoes or creating custom footwear.

The word cobbler can also describe a baked dessert with fruit on the bottom and a thick, biscuit-like topping. Peach cobbler and apple cobbler are popular versions.