crack English · revision 5427

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1000|origins=gem-pro *krakojan}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kræk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|craken]], [[inh|ang|cracian|t=to make a sharp noise]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from Proto-Germanic *krakojan, the source also of Dutch kraken and German krachen,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) probably imitative.^(Etymonline) The noun is [[inh|enm|crak]], from the verb, compare Middle Dutch crak and German Krach.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To make a sharp noise: about 1000 in Old English.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To burst or split open is from about 1300,^(Etymonline) and the noun, a split or narrow opening, from about 1450.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) To speak loudly or boastfully is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) and ''crack a joke'' by 1732.^(Etymonline) A voice cracking as a boy becomes a man is from about 1600.^(Etymonline) The adjective, first-class, as in ''crack troops'', is from 1793.^(Barnhart 1988) In Scotland a crack is a chat, and the Irish ''crack'' or ''craic'', lively company, is first recorded in the 1920s.^(Cresswell 2021)^(Etymonline) To ''have a crack at'', to attempt, is from 1836,^(OED 1989) ''crack a smile'' from 1835 in American English, and ''get cracking'' by 1937.^(Etymonline) Crack cocaine, named for the cracking sound of the crystals when heated, is attested by 1985.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1000 – to make a sharp noise.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1300 – to split.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1450 – noun, a split.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1732 – ''crack a joke''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1793 – adjective, first-class.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1985 – crack cocaine.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To break or cause to break without coming completely apart.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To break with a sudden sharp sound: ''crack a nut''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To make a sharp snapping sound: ''crack a whip''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of the voice, to change tone suddenly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To break down under pressure.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To solve a problem or break a [[code]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To tell a joke.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A narrow break or opening.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A sudden sharp noise.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' An attempt: ''have a crack at it''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A strong form of [[cocaine]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Excellent, first-class: ''a crack shot''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[crackable]]

+ * [[crackless]]

+ * [[crack-up]]

+ * [[crackback]]

+ * [[cracked]]

+ * [[cracker]]

+ * [[crackle]]

+ * [[crackpot]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[crackerjack]]

+ * [[craic]]

+ * [[creak]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}