Definition 4 is used as a neutral nickname or term of selfreference. Cracker term cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a term for white people, used especially for poor rural whites in the southern united states. This page explains what the slang term cracker means. Meaning instrument for crushing or cracking is from 1630s. Where does the term cracker come from, and how disparaging. Definition of cracker noun in oxford advanced learners dictionary.
Information and translations of crackerbox in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Mischievous play, especially by children deceitful tricks. The term cracker was also given to the farm hands that would work on the plantations as slave drivers. This slang page is designed to explain what the meaning of shenanigans is. Cracker definition in the cambridge english dictionary. In american slang,what does a cracker mean,and is it. 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.
It implies a person who lives in the utmost worst conditions and a person who no one really cares about. A cracker is a xmas festive thing resembling a toilet roll covered with tissue and decorations the cracker has a small explosive which goes off when you pull it the cracker usually holds a paper hat,a token and a joke the joke is usually terrible hence the term a cracker of a joke. One theory is that it refers to the cracked corn that was a major part of the diet of poor southern whites. Cracker definition of cracker by the free dictionary. These are some of the most common and not so common southern slang terms heard in arkansas and throughout the south.
It was used to refer to poor whites, particularly those. The online etymology dictionary traces the slur cracker. New yorks naughtiest show maybe avoid the front row tim teeman january 18, 2014 daily beast by december 11th, they were faced with the option of choosing which sides shenanigans to ratify. Shenanigan definition of shenanigan by merriamwebster. Cream cracker meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. What is the origin of cracker as an ethnic slur for. 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. When used by black people, cracker can refer to a southern white racist, not necessarily poor or rural. 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. The southern slang dictionary will help you avoid confusion if you are planning to visit the south. Writing in 1937 in his famous a dictionary of slang and unconventional english, partridge declared.
Some years ago i was given a fine slang dictionary as a birthday gift being a writer of. Someone called me a cracker in one of my answers what does this mean. Many people think the term shenanigans is an irish word, but it actually isnt despite how it sounds. 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. A cracker is a thin, crisp piece of baked bread which is often eaten with cheese.
We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage. Cracker barrel 1861 barrel full of sodacrackers 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. Synonyms for shenanigan at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. Shenanigan definition of shenanigan by the free dictionary.
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. A list of slang words and phrases, idioms, jargon, acronyms, and abbreviations. They would put a short length of twisted twine or string attached to the end of a whip to produce a cracking sound. Various theories exists regarding this term s application to poor white southerners. Today, cracker is often used as a derogatory term for a white person for obvious reasons. Here you will find the meaning of this slang term, along with details regarding its origin, and other meanings if there any to be found. Cracker, the old standby of anglo insults was first noted in the mid 18th century, making it older than the united states itself. Cracker definition and meaning collins english dictionary. 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. Hed written about the etymology of some antiwhite slurs. Suggestions include spanish chanada, a shortened form of charranada trick, deceit. A thin crisp wafer or biscuit, usually made of unsweetened dough.
Earliest records of it are in san francisco and sacramento, california, u. She grabbed a few crackers and cream cheese, grabbed her backpack, and hiked upstairs to start. After youre done, brush up on some southern manners and learn how to pronounce these commonly mispronounced arkansas names. Crackers make a loud noise when they are pulled apart and usually contain a small toy and a paper hat.
What is the origin of the slang word cracker answers. The term is, indeed, a somewhat derogatory term for white people. Cracker means something entirely different in florida. The term its a cracker came about during the 70s from a tv program called the comedians one them whos. The atlanta crackers was a minor league baseball team in the aa league until 1965 when the milwaukee braves moved to atlanta. Coal cracker is from 1853 of persons, 1857 of machinery that breaks up mined coal. Aboriginal word he attributed to new south wales likely dharug meaning banter, chaff, fun at anothers.
Cracker is always disparaging and offensive when used to refer to a poor white person in the south. Slang word used to refer to those of european ancestry. We are constantly updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. A cracker is a hollow cardboard tube covered with coloured paper. If you would like to suggest a term or an update to an existing one. This slang page is designed to explain what the meaning of cracker is. Definition of shenanigans the online slang dictionary. Where does the term cracker come from, and how disparaging is it. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the slangit team. Another theory is that the term refers to whips that crackers used to drive slaves or cattle. Spread smoked salmon and lowfat cream cheese on whole wheat crackers or pith rounds and top with fresh dill. This idiom has its origins in slavery white people were called crackers because of the sound of a slaveowners whip. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
Random house historical dictionary of american slang, vol. Synonyms for cracker at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. Someone called me a cracker is that a nice description. Cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a racial slur used against white people, used especially. The shenanigans of intimacy will shake any jaded theater fan from nudity ennui.
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