Definition 4 is used as a neutral nickname or term of selfreference. In some parts of england the two words were used interchangeably, whereas in other regions they were separate words, one meaning beggar and the other eccentric. A cracker can be doing this for profit, maliciously, for some altruistic purpose or cause, or because the challenge is there. Jul 01, 20 but it turns out cracker s roots go back even further than the 17th century. Graham cracker definition, a semisweet cracker, usually rectangular in shape, made chiefly of wholewheat flour. Cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a contemptuous term used for white people, used especially against poor rural whites in the southern united states. Old codger is a disrespectful way of referring to an old man. Dec 12, 2008 the term cracker comes from the old south. It was used against all white people by those now referred to as blacks, african americans, and so forth. Where does the term cracker come from, and how disparaging. Since the 1870s, a nickname for georgia is the cracker state. The term cracker was and is used most frequently in the southern u.
Cracker means something entirely different in florida. I know it goes back to before 1600 which would put its or. Another version of the origin of cracker comes from the spanish term cuaquero, which means quaker. Nov 25, 2019 an amusingly eccentric or grumpy and usually elderly man. The process of cracking corn was essential to the process of distilling scottish whiskey and later, whiskey in the appalachians. The show consists of three series which were originally. It is sometimes used in a neutral context in reference to a native of florida or georgia see florida cracker and georgia cracker.
This usage, however, is probably not the origin of the ethnic term cracker wilton, par. But it turns out cracker s roots go back even further than the 17th century. Cracker definition in the cambridge english dictionary. The word has, of course, been softened over the years, and today codger is a fairly affectionate word for an older man. The coot bird has a black fethered back and could ether have a yellow, orange, or white beak. The online etymology dictionary traces the slur cracker poor, white trash either to crack to boast or to corncracker poor white farmer.
Definition of the slang term cracker with an example. Codger definition and meaning collins english dictionary. The most widely accepted story is that they were invented in the mid1840s by a london pastry cook named tom smith, who came upon the idea while on a trip to paris where he witnessed the french holiday custom of wrapping sugared almonds and other sweets in a twist of colored. Codger definition, an eccentric man, especially one who is old. Cracker conveys history of bigotry that still resonates. Crack definition is to make a very sharp explosive sound. Cracker conveys history of bigotry that still resonates cnn. Com i had to share this with you while its still hot from the press yesterday the social actions office here at hickam air force base published and.
One theory holds that it originated with disadvantaged corn and wheat farmers. 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. The latter meaning is the one used in an early example of old codger, david garricks farce bon ton, 1775. An amusingly eccentric or grumpy and usually elderly man. Set in manchester, the series follows a criminal psychologist or cracker, dr edward fitz fitzgerald, played by robbie coltrane, who works with the greater manchester police to help them solve crimes. 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 w. Codger is probably simply a dialect variation of cadger, and originally, in the 18th century, meant a stingy, miserly old man. Dec 31, 2006 the term cracker was and is used most frequently in the southern u. View a timeline of our company history cracker barrel. Cracking definition in the cambridge english dictionary. The term common cracker first appeared in print in 1939 but by then the large about the size of a ritz cracker today, puffed cracker was already a new england mainstay, sold since the early 1800s from barrels yes, cracker barrels were a real thing before they were a restaurant chain in general stores. Cracker article about cracker by the free dictionary. The amount of misinformation contained in some of these answers is amazing.
Wilton also suggests that the term may have come from 16th century old english, where to crack meant. A thin crisp wafer or biscuit, usually made of unsweetened dough. The cracker term was soon associated with the descendants of these early settlers, especially the cowboys and farmers of georgia and florida. Do white people actually find the term cracker offensive. The latter explanation makes sense, because in piney. 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. Some breakingandentering has been done ostensibly to point out weaknesses in a sites security system. Synonyms for cracker include cyberpunk, hacker, black hat hacker, programmer, geek, engineer, computer nerd, techie, technophile and whiz. One theory is that it refers to the cracked corn that was a major part of the diet of poor southern whites. Why crackers are called crackers today i found out. And yes, even then the corn bread was made from scratch. An old coot is a foolish or eccentric person,a stupid fellow,a simpleton.
Cracker comes from the gaelic word craic which means a good conversation and is still in use in ireland today. Information and translations of cracker in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. But it turns out crackers roots go back even further than the 17th century. What are the female equivalents to geezer, coot, and codger. The early scotsirish settlers were mostly presbyterian, baptist and methodist. A dictionary of slang c slang and colloquialisms of the uk. A cracker is a thin, crisp biscuit which is often eaten with cheese. History of christmas crackers olde english crackers. Its a racial slur nowadays because word meanings and usages change and evolve over time. Men who had fallen on hard times and had resorted to any means possible to keep body and soul together were often those who were too old to find work.
A dry, thin, crispy baked bread usually salty or savoury, but sometimes sweet, as in the case of graham crackers and animal crackers. Evins opened the first cracker barrel old country store on september 19, 1969, located on highway 109 in lebanon, tn. Various theories exists regarding this terms application to poor white southerners. If this were in fact, true, then the term would come directly from the cracking of the slavemasters whip. 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. Mar 23, 2011 the name cracker comes from a fateful day in 1801 in massachusetts when josiah bent accidentally burned a batch of what we now call crackers. Men who had fallen on hard times and had resorted to any means possible to keep body and soul. Jocular and affectionate term of address for a podgy person. Where does the term cracker come from, and how disparaging is it. Information and translations of old codger in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Cnn had a remarkable discussion panel this weekend, thanks to the presence of george zimmerman and paula deen in the news, in which.
The crack the whip makes is where the name comes from. Come on chuck, lets go out whilst the suns shining. Cracking is the act of breaking into a computer system, often on a network. The name cracker comes from a fateful day in 1801 in massachusetts when josiah bent accidentally burned a batch of what we now call crackers. The first is that a cracker was a slang term used by 19th century georgian slaves to refer to the slavemasters. My lords servants call you an old out of fashiond codger. In 1910, if someone said they were blowing the peter, its not what youre thinking. The chains stores were at first positioned near interstate highway exits in the southeastern and. The term cracker was used in the north, nj and ny for sure in the 50s and 60s. What is the origin of the term cracker as it refers to. Clarence major, in his dictionary of afroamerican slang, lists two rather interesting ideas about the origin of the term. Usage of the term cracker generally differs from hick and hillbilly because crackers reject or resist assimilation into the dominant culture, while hicks and. With a single phrase, rachel jeantel, that friend of trayvon martins, may have lit a fuse in the trial of his accused killer.
Over yesterday and today i accumulated what i dredged up from my mental word bank and checked back in. These stories are not about the nword and cracker the atlantic. All of our slang term and phrase definitions are made possible by our wonderful visitors. Information and translations of cracker in the most comprehensive. The corporate offices are located at a different facility in the same city. A dictionary of slang c slang and colloquialisms of. Crackers definition and meaning collins english dictionary. People seemed more than pleased with the cooking, and by 1977, dan evins and his investors most of whom were local.
My lords servants call you an old outoffashiond codger. The meaning of the word has changed a lot over the last four. Crackers definition of crackers by the free dictionary. From approximately 1890 to 1919, that term mean they were going to blowup a safe to rob it, and the person doing it was likely a yeggman, slang for safe robber. The origin of codger seems to lie in the complex links between cadger and codger not as a contraction of coffindodger, as one of my more inventive correspondents has suggested. As the crackers burned, they made a crackling noise, which inspired the name. Us another word for poor white cracker a cookie prepared from wheat flour, shortening, and yeast. Another theory is that the term refers to whips that crackers used to drive slaves or cattle. The latter derivation is essentially the same as your grandmothers, except that the staple food of poor farmers was cracked corn, not crackers.
Codger definition is an often mildly eccentric and usually elderly fellow. Particularly florida farmers and cowboys, its derived from the term florida cracker or georgia cracker depending on location bc they used bull whips for herding bovine. Criminal slang glossary for 1890 to 1919 where old crime. Cracker is a british crime drama series produced by granada television for itv, created and principally written by jimmy mcgovern.
This page may contain terms or definitions that are offensive or inappropriate for some readers. Cracker definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Cracker definition of cracker by the free dictionary. As it turns out, in the area in which rachel jeantel was raised, the word cracker isnt a racial slur at all, but rather, a proud nod to the regions history, and ones own ancestry. I noted the genesis of this question as it was posted, and logged it in mind for consideration. 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. All the way back to the age of shakespeare, at least. The most widely accepted story is that they were invented in the mid1840s by a london pastry cook named tom smith, who came upon the idea while on a trip to paris where he witnessed the french holiday custom. A coot is not only a stupid or dim wit of a person, it is also a bird. If you know of another definition of cracker that should be included here, please let us know.