cracker

American  

[krak-er] / ˈkræk ər /

noun

1. a thin, crisp biscuit.

2. a firecracker.

3. Also called cracker bonbon.  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) 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.

7. snapper.

8. braggart; boaster.

9. a person or thing that cracks.

10. a chemical reactor used for cracking.

---

adjective

1. Informal. crackers, wild; crazy.

   They went crackers over the new styles.

cracker British  

/ 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. 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. See also Cracker State.

Etymology

Origin of cracker

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 for def. 11 crackers “crazy,” cracked, -ers

Example Sentences

Serve as a spread with crackers or toast, or as a sandwich spread.

From Washington Post

Together they live in their comatose father’s house, counting down the days until he dies and they inherit his cracker company empire.

From New York Times

Combine and set aside graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup coconut and cashews.

From Salon

You can also serve them, as is, with a splash of hot sauce and a butter cracker for any cocktail hour.

From Salon

Removing the center console for a thorough cleaning will be a big selling point for families who often have to deal with dangerous levels of cracker crumbs in their car.

From The Verge

Related Words

• biscuit
• cookie
• pretzel