corn-cracker

[ kawrn-krak-er ]

noun

, Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a contemptuous term used to refer to a member of a class of poor white people in the southern U.S.

Sensitive Note

This term is used with disparaging intent and is perceived as insulting, being similar in connotation to redneck and hillbilly. Corn-cracker originally referred to a native of Kentucky or Georgia, but has come to apply broadly to any poor white person in the South. cracker.

Word History and Origins

Origin of corn-cracker¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; corn ¹ + cracker

Example Sentences

The Colonel and I instinctively halted our horses, as the 'corn-cracker' stopped his.

From Project Gutenberg

I'll be gee-whizzly-gol-dusted if he ain't a malleable-iron-double-back-action self-adjusting corn-cracker.'

From Project Gutenberg

In the words of Mr. Snell, when he came out from behind the watering-trough: "It was a corn-cracker!"

From Project Gutenberg

"An' I'm d——d ef I made my wife th' 'oman she ar'," said the corn-cracker.

From Project Gutenberg

Accompanied by the corn-cracker, I entered the turpentine-shed.

From Project Gutenberg