Portland Glossary
Word on the Street: Phaker
A definition for Portland life
Phaker (n)
A person who adopts the apparel, grooming, and demeanor of the “Makers” subculture—those who build, brew, stitch, or craft all things in tiny little batches—but who does not actually make anything. In a sentence: “With his long beard, wide suspenders, Carhartts, and Danner boots, I always thought ‘Matthias’ was one of us. But over microdistilled old-fashioneds, I discovered that Matt is actually a phaker—he’s a bank teller!” 2007 version: “Phake-enger”—an ersatz bike messenger