General
flak
What does flak mean?
Anti-aircraft artillery fire, from the German abbreviation for such guns; figuratively, heavy criticism ('taking flak').
"The bombers flew through a wall of flak over the target."
Origin
From German 'Flugabwehrkanone' (aircraft-defense cannon), adopted into US military and general English.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'flak' mean?
Literally it's anti-aircraft artillery fire; figuratively it means heavy criticism, as in 'taking flak' for a decision.
Where does the word 'flak' come from?
It's from the German 'Flugabwehrkanone,' meaning aircraft-defense cannon, abbreviated and adopted into English.
Is 'flak' the same as 'flack'?
The 'flack' spelling exists, but 'flak' is the standard form for anti-aircraft fire and its figurative sense of criticism.
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