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cracker

The origin and history of cracker.

Etymology

From "crack," referring to the sharp snapping sound — the biscuit sense is first recorded in the 1700s; the ethnic slang sense has several competing theories, including a link to whip-cracking cattle drivers in the South.

· First attested 1700

Class of 1700

cracker first entered the language around 1700. Other words from the same year:

See the full Class of 1700 →
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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.