Derogatory definition, tending to lessen the merit or reputation of a person or thing. A dry, thin, crispy baked bread usually salty or savoury, but sometimes sweet, as in the case of graham crackers and animal crackers. It is a derogatory term used to refer to white people, sort of like the white version of the n word. It was used to refer to poor whites, particularly those inhabiting the frontier regions of maryland, virginia and georgia. The online etymology dictionary traces the slur cracker poor, white trash either to crack to boast or to corncracker poor white farmer. The following is a list of ethnic slurs ethnophaulisms that are, or have been, used as insinuations or allegations about members of a given ethnicity or to refer to them in a derogatory critical or disrespectful, pejorative disapproving or contemptuous, or insulting manner in the englishspeaking world. In reference to a native of florida or georgia, however, it is sometimes used in a neutral or positive context or selfdescriptively with pride see florida cracker and georgia cracker. Derogatory definition of derogatory by merriamwebster. Although originally a classist term, meaning the same as poor white trash, it has evolved through usage to be a derogatory term for someone considered a white person. Although originally a classist term, meaning the same as poor white trash, it has evolved through usage to be a derogatory term for someone considered a w. A cracker is an individual who attempts to access computer systems without authorization. Back in the 1700s, cracker was a derogatory term used by american whites to describe poor southerners of their own race. Definition of derogatory adjective in oxford advanced learners dictionary. If you would like to suggest a term or an update to an existing one, please let us know.
I dont know how it started but i think it started in georgia during the civil war probably had something to do with hard tack, a cracker eaten by civil war white soldiers. Most commonly, the term derogatory refers to accounts that are 60 or 90 days past due or more. Since then, its meaning has become more generalized and it is often used by blacks to describe whites, especially racist whites. The amount of misinformation contained in some of these answers is amazing. If anything, learning the actual definition and origin of cracker actually makes it seem like more of a slur. Derogatory definition in the cambridge english dictionary. Various theories exists regarding this terms application to poor white southerners. I should explain to your lordship what is meant by crackers.
No one is fuckin better than anyone they are equal, until your actions or reputation lowers your social status and respect, of course. A term in southeastern united states english to describe poor white trash, derived from the scottish meaning of the verb to crack, which, in this sense denotes ostentation. Where does the term cracker come from, and how disparaging. The final was a real cracker with some marvellous pitching from both sides. It implies a person who lives in the utmost worst conditions and a person who no one really cares about. Cracker comes from the gaelic word craic which means a good conversation and is still in use in ireland today. Today, cracker is often used as a derogatory term for a white person for obvious reasons. That being said, as a white person, if somebody actually tried to hurt my feelings or get a rise out of me by calling me a cracker, i would likely laugh. The epithet cracker has been applied in a derogatory way, like redneck, to rural, nonelite white southerners, more specifically to those of south. People can usually get away with using it in our reverseracist world. All definitions are approved by humans before publishing. Folk etymology claims the term originated either from their cracking, or pounding, of corn rather than taking it to mill, or from their use of whips to drive cattle. Cracker term cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a term for white people, used especially for poor rural whites in the southern united states. Cracker definition of cracker by the free dictionary.
Cracker means something entirely different in florida. Cracker conveys history of bigotry that still resonates cnn. Derogatory definition and meaning collins english dictionary. In fact, the wikipedia entry for cracker pejorative even notes the. It has been taken as an offensive and derogatory term to people of caucasian or european descent and is largely considered a slur in modern usage. If that same yankee calls a cowboy from kissimmee a cracker, it might be okay. The following is a list of ethnic slurs ethnophaulisms that are, or have been, used as insinuations or allegations about members of a given ethnicity, or to refer to them in a derogatory that is, critical or disrespectful, pejorative disapproving or contemptuous, or otherwise insulting manner some of the terms listed below such as gringo, yank, etc. One theory holds that it originated with disadvantaged corn and wheat farmers. People often use the word cracker as a derogatory word.
Joe cole scored a cracker of a goal, but norwich were certainly not outclassed, except up front. Somehow, black people, nor every other race on the face of the fucking earth, have ever treated people badly. Derogatory definition is expressive of a low opinion. I believe it is derived from plantation owners who cracked the whip to keep slaves in line. What derogatory means on your credit report experian. Cracker conveys history of bigotry that still resonates. Like, yeah, slave owner is a position of power, but, thanks to all these morals weve built up since the 1800s, its also the position of a colossal dickbag. Racism against whites is racism just the same, people. This page explains what the slang term cracker means.
It also includes collection accounts, chargeoffs, repossessions and foreclosures. The meaning of the word has changed a lot over the last four. Cracker is always disparaging and offensive when used to refer to a poor white person in the south. Derogatory definition of derogatory by the free dictionary. Crackerass dictionary definition crackerass defined. Now it is used as a derogatory term for white people much like. We are constantly updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. Though it has since turned into a racial insult, ramsey says that upper class whites in the 1600s and 1700s used cracker to refer to dumb, lazy lower. If a yankee calls a country boy from north florida a cracker, it might not be well received. Synonyms for cracker at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. The latter derivation is essentially the same as your grandmothers, except that the staple food of poor farmers was cracked corn, not crackers. He also scored a cracker of a goal in the firsthalf.
Cracker, the old standby of anglo insults was first noted in the mid 18th century, making it older than the united states itself. Yes, it is possible to be racist towards white people. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the slangit team. Lets now jump to the formal definition of a cracker. Crackerjack dictionary definition crackerjack defined. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage. Cracker is a contemptuous term for a poor rural white person, especially in georgia or florida. If you make a derogatory remark or comment about someone or something, you express your. It is a word for bigot, and is very derogatory in that sense. Mostly it was used in the 1950s through the 1980s, but there are probably some people who still use it today. The epithet cracker has been applied in a derogatory way, like redneck, to rural, nonelite white southerners, more specifically to those of south georgia and north florida. All the way back to the age of shakespeare, at least.
Definition of the slang term cracker with an example. For the purposes of this list, an ethnic slur is a term or words used to insult on. All of our slang term and phrase definitions are made possible by our wonderful visitors. A term in southeastern united states english to describe poor white trash, derived from the scottish meaning of the verb to crack, which, in this sense. The latter explanation makes sense, because in piney.
Do white people actually find the term cracker offensive. But it turns out crackers roots go back even further than the 17th century. He also explained that although the term is derogatory in much of the country, in florida, its a source of pride. With a single phrase, rachel jeantel, that friend of trayvon martins, may have lit a fuse in the trial of his accused killer. This video will explain why im proud to be a cracker. Cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a contemptuous term used for white people, used especially against poor rural whites in the southern united states. It may also refer to other information that indicates credit risk, such as bankruptcy and public records. When used by black people, cracker can refer to a southern white racist, not necessarily poor or rural. A derogatory account is one that is seriously past due.
If black people think they are the shit like theyre better than everyone else, they are mistaken. Its a racial slur nowadays because word meanings and usages change and evolve over time. Despite signifying generally the same cultural meanings. Cracker is not a derogatory term for white people and you cant equate it to nigger. Theres no dehumanizing context or definition behind it. A thin crisp wafer or biscuit, usually made of unsweetened dough. These individuals are often malicious, as opposed to hackers, and have many means at their disposal for breaking into a system. Compare latin crepare to rattle, crack, creak, with a secondary figurative sense of boast of, prattle, make ado about. Titled celtic christmas, this second solo album from tommy is a real cracker. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. In mtvs explainer web series decoded above, franchesca ramsey explains that cracker is a classist insult invented by a richer white upper class to describe lower class white people. Slang a person or thing of recognized excellence 2.
737 104 95 112 658 439 978 648 995 1072 1030 1558 305 1225 756 1339 1598 16 965 144 296 233 809 631 1188 1351 366 706 268 1271 497 693 901 1357 1373 128