Origin of the word cracker jack

Crackerjack definition and meaning collins english. Cracker conveys history of bigotry that still resonates cnn. The word cracker has a primary meaning, in addition to its slang meaning. As the brothers loved the name cracker jack, they received a trademark for it under f. Apr 20, 2017 cracker jack caramelcoated popcorn and peanuts was, according to company lore, named by salesman john berg, who exclaimed upon first trying the product. I was of the impression that cracker jack was originally used to describe a squaredaway us sailor, related to the early meaning of the term crack which you described in a recent article, and with jack tar for a sailor.

What is the origin of the term georgia cracker answers. It is sometimes used in a neutral context in reference to a native of florida or georgia. Crackerjack dictionary definition crackerjack defined yourdictionary. Cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a racial slur used for white people, used especially against poor rural whites in the southern united states. A tasty treat consisting of popcorn, peanuts and a caramel candy coating. When someone says wow heshe is a real cracker jack. A brief history about cracker jack the cracker jack candy treat has been around for a long time, and even in my own lifetime some 50 years not much has changed to this long standing product. Actually the words cracker jack was a slang expression on those days, meaning something very pleasing or excellent.

The prizes attained popculture status with the catchphrase came in a cracker jack box, particularly when applied. Kevin wesley the truth factory recommended for you. However, crackerjack was also a slang expression at that time that meant something very pleasing or excellent and that is more likely to have been the origin of the name. All the way back to the age of shakespeare, at least. Cracker jack originally included a small mystery novelty item referred to as a toy surprise in each box. The caramelcoated popcornandpeanuts confection was said to have been introduced at the worlds columbian exposition 1893. Oct 31, 20 in 1896 the name cracker jack was officially registered before then the snack had been called candied popcorn and peanuts and the familiarly sticky and sweet candy we know today was born. It is sometimes used in a neutral context in reference to a native of florida or georgia see florida cracker and georgia cracker. From the trademark cracker jack popcorn snack featuring a blue sailorsuited man on the box. Prizes were included in every box of cracker jack beginning in 1912. Jul 01, 20 but it turns out cracker s roots go back even further than the 17th century. I was surprised to find that crackerjack is not australian in origin. This teacherdeveloped 5th grade word list covers all the basics to prepare. Crackerjack dictionary definition crackerjack defined.

History of popcorn and cracker jacks, whats cooking america. Dec 09, 2019 crackerjack not comparable us, slang referring to clothing items pants, jersey, collar that constitute the traditional blue uniform of the enlisted men of the us navy, following the sailor uniform worn by sailor jack on boxes of cracker jack snacks. The meaning of the word has changed a lot over the last four. Synonyms for crackerjack include expert, connoisseur, authority, cognoscente, dab, fiend, geek, guru, hand and hotshot. The us term crackerjack has had a complicated history. Cracker, the old standby of anglo insults was first noted in the mid 18th century, making it older than the united states itself. However, crackerjack was also a slang expression that meant something pleasing or excellent. A parka is a jacket or coat which has a thick lining and a hood with fur round the edge. Back in the day, the term cracker jack could refer to anything of high quality, so its no wonder the name stuck. In chicago there are two legends of how crackerjacks originated. Supposedly a salesman gave it the name when he tasted some and said, thats a crackerjack, using the thenpopular expression. Cracker conveys history of bigotry that still resonates. The cracker jack name and slogan, the more you eat the more you want, were registered in 1896.

Cracker jack wordreference english dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. Crackerjack definition of crackerjack by merriamwebster. Coal cracker is from 1853 of persons, 1857 of machinery that breaks up mined coal. Information and translations of cracker jack in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web.

Crackerjack definition and meaning collins english dictionary. The late 19thcentury pairing of crack and jack to form crackerjack topped off a long history for those words. Cracker jack is an american brand of snack food consisting of molassesflavored, caramelcoated popcorn and peanuts, well known for being packaged with a prize of trivial value inside. The primary meaning for cracker is a thincrisp wafer, whether circular or square. Meaning instrument for crushing or cracking is from 1630s. Jun 18, 2008 legend has it that the name cracker jack came from a customer who upon trying the treat exclaimed that really a cracker jack.

What exactly does that mean i was surprised to find that crackerjack is not australian in origin. Where does the term cracker come from, and how disparaging is it. Crackerjack definition is a person or thing of marked excellence. The phrase cracker barrel was inspired by the barrels full of soda crackers that were for sale in the countrys country stores. You may also know cracker jack as a snack of candied popcorn and peanuts. Aug 20, 2002 the reverend sylvester graham, a presbyterian minister who became a social reformer and a ferocious advocate of healthful living, is the man who put the graham into the treat we now know and. Crackerjack synonyms, crackerjack antonyms merriamwebster. Crackerjack entered english first as a noun referring to a person or thing of marked excellence, then as an adjective. But it turns out crackers roots go back even further than the 17th century. It was used to refer to poor whites, particularly those. Cracker jack is an american brand of snack food consisting of molassesflavored. Its sold in oldschool boxes which come in a three pack and although the primary consumers are young children, its invariably located on the top shelf of the supermarket isle. Jul 01, 20 with a single phrase, rachel jeantel, that friend of trayvon martins, may have lit a fuse in the trial of his accused killer.

Jun 14, 2016 that depends on which cracker you are asking about. Their slogan was the more you eat, the more you want was also ed that year. He is a real cracker jack when it comes to getting people to bid. The first settlers in what is now the state of georgia came in waggons, and used long whips that they cracked over the heads of the animals dragging the waggons. The older attributes it to charles frederick gunther. Definition of cracker jack the online slang dictionary. Crackerjack definition, a person or thing that shows marked ability or excellence. Mar 28, 2019 legend has it that the name cracker jack came from a customer who, upon trying the treat, exclaimed, that really a cracker jack.

Crackerjack definition of crackerjack by the free dictionary. With a single phrase, rachel jeantel, that friend of trayvon martins, may have lit a fuse in the trial of his accused killer. Us, slang, in the plural the traditional blue uniforms of the enlisted men of the us navy. Wikipedia cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a usually racist disparaging term for white people, especially poor rural whites in the southern united states. Its source is advertisements for the cracker jack snack, which from 1916 began to feature a uniformed sailor jack and his dog bingo and the term was taken up by us navy sailors themselves. Who invented cracker jack, the classic popcorn snack. Its listed on a number of australian slang sites as aussie but bakers entry in. This is more likely to have been the origin of the name.

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. But dare compares corn cracker kentuckian, also poor, lowclass white farmer of georgia and north carolina 1835, u. The term cracker barrel was first used in 1916, and it emerged from the country stores of the era. Still the box has the familiar sailor boy saluting us with his trusty dog by his side. Websters new world college dictionary, 4th edition. Some food historians consider it the first junk food.