Since the huge influx of new residents into georgia from the northern parts of the united states in the late 20th century, georgia cracker has become used informally by some white residents of georgia of scotirish and english stock, to indicate that their family has lived there for many generations. But dare compares corn cracker kentuckian, also poor, lowclass white farmer of georgia and north carolina 1835, u. Hard breadbiscuit sense first attested 1739, though hard wafer sense attested 1440. 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. Georgia cracker refers to the original american pioneer settlers of the province of georgia later, the state of georgia, and their descendants in the late 19th century and the early part of the 20th century, georgia ranchers came to be known as georgia crackers by floridians when they drove their cattle down into the grassy flatlands of central florida to graze in the winter, stopping. 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. Aug 30, 2010 the ajc is atlanta slang for the atlanta journalconstitution, atlantas only major daily newspaper. In fact, the wikipedia entry for cracker pejorative even notes the. If you consider yourself a wiz when it comes to riddles, or if you just need a break from the hectic world around you give this quiz a try. The term cracker was in use during the elizabethan era to describe braggarts.
The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the slangit team. Yet another theory maintains that the term cracker was in use in elizabethan times to. Where does the term cracker come from, and how disparaging. Check out these 50 rednecksouthern slang words and colloquial phrases. Dont you worry, weve got the best mind teasers, trivia, and general knowledge questions to test how smart you really are when it comes to all things knowledge, education, and more. He also explained that although the term is derogatory in much of the country, in florida, its a source of pride. With the huge influx of new residents from the north, cracker is used informally by some white residents of florida and georgia florida cracker or georgia cracker to indicate that their family has lived there for many generations. We are constantly updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. The cracker term was soon associated with the descendants of these early settlers, especially the cowboys and farmers of georgia and florida. Known to be very selfsufficient by growing or hunting their own food and building their own homes. If you would like to suggest a term or an update to an existing one. The original root of this is the middle english word crack meaning entertaining. A cracker is an individual who performs cracking, or the process of breaking into a computer or a network system.
Synonyms for cracker at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. Cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a slur used against white people, used especially against poor rural whites in the southern united states. Crackers meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. In american slang,what does a cracker mean,and is it. Some crackers break into a network system deliberately to point out the flaws. Based on the results of this quiz, you are a true georgia slang savant. Where does the term cracker come from, and how disparaging is it. The online etymology dictionary traces the slur cracker poor, white trash. All the way back to the age of shakespeare, at least. May 17, 2018 a republican running for governor of georgia is bringing his racist deportation bus tour to cracker barrel restaurantsand cracker barrel isnt having it. Cracker slang 6 context pejorative ethnic slur english a white person, especially one form the southeastern united states. The english meaning of cracker as a braggart appears by elizabethan times, as, for example, in shakespeares king john 1595. Cracker slang article about cracker slang by the free.
Another theory is that the term refers to whips that crackers used to drive slaves or cattle. Cracker means something entirely different in florida. The term cracker was in use during elizabethan times to describe braggarts. This page may contain content that is offensive or inappropriate for some readers. 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 conveys history of bigotry that still resonates. Britannica notes that this usage of the term dates back to the american revolution, and is derived from the cracked corn which formed their staple food. The ajc is atlanta slang for the atlanta journalconstitution, atlantas only major daily newspaper. A dry, thin, crispy baked bread usually salty or savoury, but sometimes sweet, as in the case of graham crackers and animal crackers. But dare compares corncracker kentuckian, also poor, lowclass white farmer of georgia and north carolina 1835, u. 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. Among some georgians, the term is used as a proud or jocular selfdescription. The meaning of the word has changed a lot over the last four. The term cracker was also given to the farm hands that would work on the plantations as slave drivers.
Crackers definition of crackers by the free dictionary. She says it means simple folks who can only afford to eat crackers. A cracker might be performing cracking for malicious activities, profit, for certain nonprofit intentions or causes, or just for a challenge. Cracker definition and meaning collins english dictionary. 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. This page explains what the slang term cracker means. A native to the state of georgia whose family has lived out in more rural parts of the state for many generations and continues to do so. All of our slang term and phrase definitions are made possible by our wonderful visitors. Cracker definition of cracker by the free dictionary. Another theory asserts that it was applied due to georgia and florida settlers. An original colonizer of the state of the american state of georgia, or one of their descendants. I should explain to your lordship what is meant by crackers.
Whether youre from this great state or just like to visit, your language skills will allow you to blend right in. It is documented in william shakespeares king john act ii. Jul 01, 20 but it turns out cracker s roots go back even further than the 17th century. My grandmother from georgia openly refers to herself and other white southerners as crackers, and sometimes adds a state as in georgia cracker or florida cracker. One theory is that it refers to the cracked corn that was a major part of the diet of poor southern whites. A cracker is a thin, crisp biscuit which is often eaten with cheese.
What does cracker mean definition of cracker word finder. If a man becomes georgiaed, it is highly unlikely he will be able to turn the potential whore out, and he should move on. Oct 20, 2011 the term cracker was also given to the farm hands that would work on the plantations as slave drivers. Its obvious that you know your georgia slang the way only a true citizen can. A short piece of twisted string tied to the end of a whip that creates the distinctive sound when the whip is thrown or cracked. If you know of another definition of cracker that should be included here, please let us know. With a single phrase, rachel jeantel, that friend of trayvon martins, may have lit a fuse in the trial of his accused killer. How did the slang term cracker come about to mean white people.
Cracker has also been used as a proud or jocular selfdescription. The 1911 edition of the encyclopedia britannica, notes that cracker is a term of contempt for the poor or mean whites, particularly of georgia and florida. A republican running for governor of georgia is bringing his racist deportation bus tour to cracker barrel restaurantsand cracker barrel isnt having it. Another version of the origin of cracker comes from the spanish term cuaquero, which means quaker. 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. They would put a short length of twisted twine or string attached to the end of a whip to produce a cracking sound. The original root of this is the middle english word crack, meaning entertaining conversation as one may be said to crack a joke.
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. The early scotsirish settlers were mostly presbyterian, baptist and methodist. Cracker state definition, georgia used as a nickname. The word was used especially of georgians by 1808, though often extended to residents of northern florida.
How did the slang term cracker come about to mean white. But it turns out crackers roots go back even further than the 17th century. Definition of the slang term cracker with an example. The journal carried the motto covers dixie like the dew, a. However, the term white cracker is seldom used selfreferentially and. The latter explanation makes sense, because in piney. Definition of firecracker the online slang dictionary. A thin crisp wafer or biscuit, usually made of unsweetened dough.
492 384 1102 1588 714 816 208 379 1133 922 1595 1002 531 988 892 1516 1602 887 1595 1252 1392 967 995 863 811 562 445 569 901