flak

or flack

[ flak ]

noun

1. antiaircraft fire, especially as experienced by the crews of combat airplanes at which the fire is directed.
2. criticism; hostile reaction; abuse:

   Such an unpopular decision is bound to draw a lot of flak from the press.

flak

/ flæk /

noun

1. anti-aircraft fire or artillery
2. informal.
   a great deal of adverse criticism

Word History and Origins

Origin of flak¹

1935–40; < German Fl ( ieger ) a ( bwehr ) k ( anone ) antiaircraft gun, equivalent to Flieger aircraft (literally, flyer) + Abwehr defense + Kanone gun, cannon

Word History and Origins

Origin of flak¹

C20: from German Fl ( ieger ) a ( bwehr ) k ( anone ), literally: aircraft defence gun