Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a tinker [abbr.].

1937		Eve. Teleg. 13 Apr. 3/1: Lizzie the Tink [...] Dreaded the Poorhouse. They are talking of civilising our gypsy and tinker folk.
1959		I. & P. Opie Lore and Lang. of Schoolchildren (1977) 76: ‘Diddies’ in the west of England, and ‘tinks’ in Scotland.