The meaning of the word has changed a lot over the last four. A term in southeastern united states english to describe poor white trash, derived from the scottish meaning of the verb to crack, which, in this sense. Clarence major, in his dictionary of afroamerican slang, lists two rather interesting ideas about the origin of the term. All the way back to the age of shakespeare, at least. It was used to refer to poor whites, particularly those.
People of color for example african indentures and slaves and men of property repeated what they heard from white male elites and wrongly white historians racialized it. Its also anything that cracks, like a firecracker or a computer code cracker, or of course, that thin, savory snack that cracks when you break it. Some crackers break into a network system deliberately to point out the flaws. Cracker definition in the cambridge english dictionary. What does the racial term cracker mean and how did the. Cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a term for white people, used especially for poor rural whites in the southern united states. The latter derivation is essentially the same as your grandmothers, except that the staple food of poor farmers was cracked corn, not crackers. Cracker has also been used as a proud or jocular selfdescription.
A cracker is an individual who performs cracking, or the process of breaking into a computer or a network system. Cracker definition and meaning collins english dictionary. An example of crack is a split in the ground after an earthquake. Jul 01, 20 with a single phrase, rachel jeantel, that friend of trayvon martins, may have lit a fuse in the trial of his accused killer. Crackers definition of crackers by the free dictionary. Cracker meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. Refinery equipment used to pyrolyse organic feedstocks. This page may contain content that is offensive or inappropriate for some readers. Mar 30, 2007 clarence major, in his dictionary of afroamerican slang, lists two rather interesting ideas about the origin of the term. For example, the above slang terms were coined by an eegit. Cracker state definition, georgia used as a nickname. Cracker conveys history of bigotry that still resonates cnn. But it turns out crackers roots go back even further than the 17th century. A cracker is a thin, crisp biscuit which is often eaten with cheese.
Alternate form of peckerhead, usually used affectionately. Two of the most popular theories are that the term cracker comes from as far back as the early 1800s and carried to the united states by scottish settlers in the south and appalachia. British english, informal something that you think is very good, funny, etc. If you know of another definition of cracker that should be included here, please let us know. Crackers meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. It has been taken as an offensive and derogatory term to people of caucasian or european descent and is largely considered a slur in modern usage. Slang is very informal usage in vocabulary and idiom that is characteristically more metaphorical, playful, elliptical, vivid and ephemeral than ordinary language random house unabridged dictionary learn 600 slang expressions an idiom is.
North american english, slang an offensive word for a poor white person with little education from the southern us informal a person who illegally finds a way of looking at or stealing information on somebody elses computer system. The online etymology dictionary traces the slur cracker poor, white trash either to crack to boast or to corncracker poor white farmer. One theory is that it refers to the cracked corn that was a major part of the diet of poor southern whites. How did the slang term cracker come about to mean white. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. Where does the term cracker come from, and how disparaging is it. Because a cracker uses lowlevel hacker skills to do the cracking, the terms cracker and hacker have become synonymous with the latter becoming the predominant term. If catalyst is used to aid pyrolysis it is informally called a cat cracker slang, chiefly britain a fine thing or person crackerjack.
With a single phrase, rachel jeantel, that friend of trayvon martins, may have lit a fuse in the trial of his accused killer. Top synonyms for cracker other words for cracker are biscuit, cookie and hardtack. What is the origin of cracker as an ethnic slur for. A dry, thin, crispy baked bread usually salty or savoury, but sometimes sweet, as in the case of graham crackers and animal crackers. A term in southeastern united states english to describe poor white trash, derived from the scottish meaning of the verb to crack, which, in this sense denotes ostentation.
Somehow, black people, nor every other race on the face of the fucking earth, have ever treated people badly. Compare latin crepare to rattle, crack, creak, with a secondary figurative sense of boast of, prattle, make ado about. Cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a racial epithet for white people, used especially for poor rural whites in the southern united states. Cracker definition of cracker by medical dictionary. Definition of the slang term cracker with an example. I should explain to your lordship what is meant by crackers. If this were in fact, true, then the term would come directly from the cracking of the slavemasters whip. All of our slang term and phrase definitions are made possible by our wonderful visitors. Cracker article about cracker by the free dictionary. Synonyms for cracker at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions.
Cracker slang definition of cracker slang by medical. Cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a usually disparaging term for poor whites, mainly used in the southern united states, but in recent decades in usage throughout north america. Looking for online definition of cracker or what cracker stands for. Cracker conveys history of bigotry that still resonates. Where does the term cracker come from, and how disparaging. The definition of crack is a sudden, sharp breaking sound or a break in something.
Another theory is that the term refers to whips that crackers used to drive slaves or cattle. Cracker definition of cracker by the free dictionary. Cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a usually pejorative term for a white person, mainly used in the southern united states, but in recent decades it has entered common usage throughout north america. Cracker slang article about cracker slang by the free. Cracker means something entirely different in florida. The process of cracking corn was essential to the process of distilling scottish whiskey and later, whiskey in the appalachians.
A whole mess of white people like to get worked up about the word cracker, some in the mistaken belief that this will somehow result in permission to use the nword. Cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a slur used against white people, used especially against poor rural whites in the southern united states. It is sometimes used in a neutral context in reference to a native of florida, georgia or texas see florida cracker, georgia cracker or texas cracker. One theory holds that the term comes from the common diet of poor whites. Cracker, the old standby of anglo insults was first noted in the mid 18th century, making it older than the united states itself. Urban dictionary and our advertising partners set cookies on your computer to improve our site and the advertisements you see. Jul 01, 20 but it turns out cracker s roots go back even further than the 17th century. Jul, 2010 cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a usually disparaging term for poor whites, mainly used in the southern united states, but in recent decades in usage throughout north america. A cracker might be performing cracking for malicious activities, profit, for certain nonprofit intentions or causes, or just for a challenge.
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