Folk etymology claims the term originated either from their cracking, or pounding, of corn rather than taking it to mill, or from their use of whips to drive cattle. Crackerjack definition of crackerjack by merriamwebster. Some crackers break into a network system deliberately to point out the flaws. Dictionary grammar blog school scrabble thesaurus translator quiz more resources more from collins. This explanation of the origin of the triscuit cracker name and meaning is one that surely nobody expected to be so interesting. Cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a racial epithet for white people, used especially for poor rural whites in the southern united states. Theres an ideology which claims that it is impossible to be racist against a dominant racial group, which white people are in america and europe.
One theory is that it refers to the cracked corn that was a major part of the diet of poor southern whites. The term cracker was in use during elizabethan times to describe braggarts. Cracker is an elongation of crack, an adjective meaning expert or superior that dates from the 18th century. Where did the term come from though, and is it actually as offensive as other racial s. Although originally a classist term, meaning the same as poor white trash, it has evolved through usage to be a derogatory term for someone considered a white person. The pejorative term cracker is older than western plantation overseers. 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. The english meaning of cracker as a braggart appears by elizabethan times, as, for example, in shakespeares king john 1595. With a single phrase, rachel jeantel, that friend of trayvon martins, may have lit a fuse in the trial of his accused killer. However, the term white cracker is not always used selfreferentially and remains a racist term to many in the region.
Crackers definition of crackers by the free dictionary. Cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a sometimes pejorative expression for white people, especially poor rural whites in the southern united states. But when the nickname is used by outsiders, it is usually with disparaging intent and. The original root of this is the middle english word crack, meaning entertaining conversation as one may be said to crack a joke. Cracker means something entirely different in florida. Ill bet it started out a crackle box because of the noise it makes and was then misheard and translated into cracker box a more familiar term. Clair says white american northerners began using cracker as a term. The term followed them when they immigrated into america and were characterized as generally unruly and illmannered. The online etymology dictionary traces the slur cracker poor, white trash either to crack to boast or to corncracker poor white farmer. Sense of computer cracker, crack, cracking, were promoted in the 1980s as an alternative to hacker, by programmers concerned about negative public associations of hack. The internet doesnt have any information on it that i could find. The epithet cracker has been applied in a derogatory way, like redneck, to rural, nonelite white southerners, more specifically to those of south georgia and north florida.
The original root of this is the middle english word crack1 meaning entertaining conversation one may be said to crack a joke. What is the origin of the term cracker as it refers to. Hard breadbiscuit sense first attested 1739, though hard wafer sense attested 1440. Everytime the media carries a sensationalist story about hackers committing cybercrimes theres always an uproar among geeks about the misappropriation of the word hacker. The early scotsirish settlers were mostly presbyterian, baptist and methodist. Cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a derogatory term for white people,1 especially poor rural whites in the southern united states. The phrase cracker barrel was inspired by the barrels full of soda crackers that were for sale in the countrys country stores.
It was used to refer to poor whites, particularly those. A southern anglocelt, usually of scotsirish origin, who lives in the backcountry. This entry was posted in an ghaeilge, drossary and tagged cracker, craic, daniel cassidy, dwelly, how the irish invented slang, mcwhiney, michael krasny, origin of word cracker, scots, scottish gaelic, shakespeare on december, 2017 by debunkerofcassidy. Cracker, the old standby of anglo insults was first noted in the mid 18th century, making it older than the united states itself. Today, cracker is often used as a derogatory term for a white person for obvious reasons. Coal cracker is from 1853 of persons, 1857 of machinery that breaks up mined coal. The latter derivation is essentially the same as your grandmothers, except that the staple food of poor farmers was cracked corn, not crackers.
What is the origin of the slang word cracker answers. A cracker is an individual who performs cracking, or the process of breaking into a computer or a network system. Crackers are often branded as a nutritious and convenient way to consume a staple food or cereal grain. Cracker began to be associated with opinionated, ignorant whites who could easily be incited to violence.
It has been suggested that white slave foremen in the antebellum south were called crackers owing to their practice of cracking the. The origin of hacker april 1, 2008 posted by imran ghory in computer security, etymology. Meaning instrument for crushing or cracking is from 1630s. The crack of the herders whips could be heard for great distances and were used to round cattle in pens and to keep the cows on a given track. A thin crisp wafer or biscuit, usually made of unsweetened dough. A cracker is a flat, dry baked food typically made with flour. The word cracker is commonly understood as a racist slur for whites. The term cracker barrel was first used in 1916, and it emerged from the country stores of the era. Cracker conveys history of bigotry that still resonates cnn. Various theories exists regarding this terms application to poor white southerners. Sense of computer cracker, crack, cracking, were promoted in the 1980s as an alternative to hacker, by programmers concerned about negative public associations of hack, hacking creative computer coding. Another theory is that the term refers to whips that crackers used to drive slaves or cattle. There are various theories about the origin of the term cracker.
Where does the term cracker come from, and how disparaging. 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. Cracker barrel 1861 barrel full of soda crackers for sale was such a common feature of old country stores that the phrase came to be used by 1905 as an adjective, emblematic of downhome ways and. This meaning comes from the sense of crack as brag, and a cracker, therefore, as a bragger. 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. A cracker is a thin, crisp biscuit which is often eaten with cheese. A cracker might be performing cracking for malicious activities, profit, for certain nonprofit intentions or causes, or just for a challenge. One eighteenthcentury definition of what a cracker provides a good description. The term appeared in a play referring to scotsirish people. Today were diving deep with some of the most lit terms from 2017. We are constantly updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. Other possible origins of the term cracker are linked to early florida cattle herders that traditionally used whips to herd wild spanish cattle.
It has been suggested that white slave foremen in the antebellum south were called crackers owing to their practice of cracking. It has been dated back to the 16th century, and many believe it was the celtic ethnic group who first used it. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the slangit team. The term cracker is used as a neutral nickname by inhabitants of georgia and florida. The atlanta crackers was a minor league baseball team in the aa league until 1965 when the milwaukee braves moved to atlanta. Flavorings or seasonings, such as salt, herbs, seeds, or cheese, may be added to the dough or sprinkled on top before baking. The term appears intact and in use by the mid1700s in colonial america. Where does the term cracker come from, and how disparaging is it. Post the definition of cracker to facebook share the definition of cracker on twitter. Cracker dictionary definition cracker defined yourdictionary. In many urban areas throughout the state, cracker still means bigot. Another version of the origin of cracker comes from the spanish term cuaquero, which means quaker.
It implies a person who lives in the utmost worst conditions and a person who no one really cares about. This idiom has its origins in slavery white people were called crackers because of the sound of a slaveowners whip. Cracker definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Cracker can also be used as an offensive term for a white person. The epithet cracker has been applied in a derogatory way, like redneck, to rural, nonelite white southerners, more specifically to those of south.
The verb use evolved from the expression to crack a boast, which came from the sense of crack meaning to make. Prior to that, crack was a noun meaning something superior and a verb meaning to boast. Where did the word cracker for white people come from. This page explains what the slang term cracker means. The original root of this is the middle english word crack meaning entertaining. Lets examine miz crackers drag name and whether its a. The term cracker cracka is used as an ethnic or racial slur for americans of european descent, but more specifically for americans of.