"Poor man's cement" is a colloquial term that can refer to several low-cost improvised binders or historical substitutes used when high-quality Portland cement is unavailable or too expensive. Historically, it often described natural hydraulic limes, pozzolanic ash mixtures, or lean mixes heavily diluted with cheap local clay, mud, or excess sand. In modern DIY slang, people sometimes use the term to describe using masonry mortar, plaster of Paris, or drywall joint compound for minor craft repairs, though these substitutes lack the structural integrity, waterproofing, and durability of genuine cement. True structural cement cannot be substituted with cheap household alternatives without risking catastrophic failure under load.
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