cracker

[ krak-er ]

noun

1. a thin, crisp biscuit.
2. a firecracker.
3. Also called crack·er bon·bon [krak, -er bon-bon]. a small paper roll used as a party favor, that usually contains candy, trinkets, etc., and that pops when pulled sharply at one or both ends.
4. (initial capital letter) Slang: Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive. a native or inhabitant of Georgia or Florida (used as a nickname).
5. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a white person in the South, especially a poor white living in some rural parts of the southeastern U.S.
6. Slang. black hat ( def 2 ).
7. snapper ( def 5 ).
8. braggart; boaster.
9. a person or thing that cracks.
10. a chemical reactor used for cracking. Compare catalytic cracking, fractionator.

adjective

1. crackers, Informal. wild; crazy:

   They went crackers over the new styles.

cracker

/ ˈkrækə /

noun

1. a decorated cardboard tube that emits a bang when pulled apart, releasing a toy, a joke, or a paper hat
2. short for firecracker
3. a thin crisp biscuit, usually unsweetened
4. a person or thing that cracks
5. offensive.
   another word for poor White
6. slang.
   a thing or person of notable qualities or abilities
7. not worth a cracker informal.
   worthless; useless

Sensitive Note

The term cracker is used as a neutral nickname by inhabitants of Georgia and Florida; it is a positive term of self-reference. But when the nickname is used by outsiders, it is usually with disparaging intent and perceived as insulting by Georgians and Floridians. Cracker is always disparaging and offensive when used to refer to a poor white person in the South; the word in this sense often implies that the person is regarded as ignorant or uneducated. When used by Black people, cracker can refer to a Southern white racist, not necessarily poor or rural. Cracker State.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cracker¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English craker; crack, -er ¹; cracker defs 4, 5 were perhaps originally in sense “braggart,” applied to frontiersmen of the southern American colonies in the 1760s, though subsequently given other interpretations ( corn-cracker ); cracker fordef 11 crackers “crazy,” cracked, -ers

Example Sentences

“There was a piece of cracker, which a mouse stole from me at night. I hid it, and then the mouse probably stole it because I couldn’t find it.”

From BBC

Instead of using their resources for good — to, say, reimagine comfort food as something not just affordable but as inventive dishes made with fresh ingredients — Novak, Teigen and Hollingsworth at ChainFest instead opted to glorify the likes of Panda Express, Cracker Barrel, White Castle, Domino’s and more.

From Los Angeles Times

Each bag is made of light-colored canvas with the words “Tote It Cheez-It” embossed on a yellow square that resembles an actual Cheez-It cracker.

From Salon

Mr Albanese’s "cracker" comments weren’t the only controversy last week.

From BBC

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was caught on camera calling the deal "a cracker" in a conversation with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell.

From BBC

Related Words

• biscuit
• cookie
• pretzel