Fumblefingers has a great answer for the history of crackpot. It is at best an amusing collection of historical trivia, but the etymologies given range from the firmly established to the crackpot lunatic, with little evidence of proper vetting for. Pot was once a slang term for the skull, and something cracked was obviously defective a older expression with a similar meaning that used. Crackpottery is the behaviour of a crackpotthe pot in this case being a slang term for the skull. A dictionary of slang c slang and colloquialisms of. In some parts of england and in the united states particularly, it is still used in this sense. Trending words crackpot search online etymology dictionary. Whats the origin of the term crackpot referring to a person trivia question questions. Crackbrain synonyms, crackbrain antonyms merriamwebster. Specifically a female version of a chav, see above.
A number of english words have astra or astro in them. If you call someone a crackpot you are basically calling them a crackhead. If you call someone a crackhead, they are either an addict, or acting like a dumbass. Synonyms for crackpot include character, codger, crack, crackbrain, crank, eccentric, flake, fruitcake, kook and nut. Proper usage and audio pronunciation plus ipa phonetic transcription of the word crackpot. When something is crackpot, it is crazy and foolish. Crackpot was once synonymous with the now obsolete crackbraina person whos brain isnt working properly. An eccentric person, especially one with bizarre ideas. Synonyms for crackpot at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions.
We hope that the following list of synonyms for the word crackpot will help you to finish your crossword today. If it helps, you can consider these changes growing pains. A list of slang words and phrases, idioms, jargon, acronyms, and abbreviations. This slang page is designed to explain what the meaning of crackpot is. My colleagues and i have wondered about the origin of the word crackpot. Crackpot disambiguation synonyms, crackpot disambiguation pronunciation, crackpot disambiguation translation, english dictionary definition of crackpot disambiguation. Crackpot band, an australian music group who recorded for tummy touch records. Old english cracian make a sharp noise, give forth a loud, abrupt sound, from protogermanic krakojan source also of middle dutch craken, dutch kraken, german krachen. Synonyms, crossword answers and other related words for crackpot. Crackpot dictionary definition crackpot defined yourdictionary.
I know andrew cowens big world of rock was meant to be funny, but it is still crass and insensitive to use words like loony, crackpot and. Crackpot hall, a landmark ruin near keld, north yorkshire. List of english words of anglosaxon origin wikipedia. I would guess that the assumption is that its a moderately obvious compound. Noting the latin, going back to the greek, is enough. This is the british english definition of crackpot. The word crackpot apparently also first appeared in 1883. This is a list of english words of native origin, in other words, words inherited and derived directly from the anglosaxon, or old english, stage of the language. Crank person, a pejorative term crackpot theory, or pseudoscience. Crackpot crossword answers, clues, definition, synonyms. There are countless words in the language that began as twoword terms, later to become hyphenated and later still to merge into a single word, for example, zigzag, forewarned, ninepence etc.
Weve arranged the synonyms in length order so that they are easier to find. If you describe someone or their ideas as crackpot, you disapprove of them because you. This list also includes neologisms formed from anglosaxon roots andor particles in later forms of english, and words borrowed into other languages e. Nevertheless, the etymology of astronomy is of interest here and can be briefly noted. Some people might assume it is related to drugs because crack and pot are both slang words for different drugs. In websters new collegiate dictionary, the terms crackpot, crackbrain, and cracked are synonymous, and suggest a metaphorically. This list of country name etymologies may be your baby, but is of little value to any serious researcher. Crackpot meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. In modern times, the pejorative crackpot seems to be reserved to designate cranks and other harmless eccentrics. But know that i dont find this meaning to hold up with the younger generation. Crackpot adjective definition and synonyms macmillan.
Crackpot definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Crackpot definition of crackpot by the free dictionary. Because as long as we got each other, we can take anything that comes our way. I havent found anything definitive yet, but its fun to speculate. Change your default dictionary to american english. Of chav, see above, or related them in some excessive way or major extent. There are countless words in the language that began as two word terms, later to become hyphenated and later still to merge into a single word, for example, zigzag, forewarned, ninepence etc. Top synonyms for crackpot other words for crackpot are insane, crazy and lunatic. If you go about researching the origin of crackpot it wont take long to come up with the village of crackpot, in. If you go about researching the origin of crackpot. Crackpot synonyms, crackpot antonyms merriamwebster.
Crackpot definition, a person who is eccentric, unrealistic, or fanatical. This name long predates the use of the term crackpot meaning crazed, as it dates from at least the 12th century, before which the region had been taken over by. Other words from crackpot synonyms example sentences learn more about. Why was someone considered mentally unbalanced or crazy. Words that have had their meaning, spelling, pronunciation or usage changed because the ignorant outnumber the anal. That person must be a crackpot for giving an idea that does not work. List of countryname etymologiesarchive 1 wikipedia. I have checked three dictionaries and they offer no clue about the etymology. For example arundel gives the etymology of arundel and nothing else. Another chav related expression created during the. It is professional enough to satisfy academic standards, but accessible enough to be used by anyone. Earlier it was used in a slang sense a smalltime bigshot 1883, and by medical doctors in reference to a metallic chinking sometimes heard when percussion is made over a cavity which communicates with a bronchus. Crackpot definition is one given to eccentric or lunatic notions. Definition and synonyms of crackpot from the online english dictionary from macmillan education.
World wide words tries to record at least a part of this shifting wordscape by featuring new words, word histories, words in the news, and the curiosities of native english speech. From a etymology point of view, most words are foreign anyway. Synonyms for crackpots include crazy, insane, maniacs, lunatics, kooks, nutbags, nutcases, wackos, deviants and dingbats. Eccentric astron a circle described about the center of an elliptical orbit, with half the major axis for radius eccentric a circle not having the same center as another contained in some measure within the first eccentric mach a disk or wheel so arranged upon a shaft that the center of the wheel and that of the shaft do not coincide. Get a crackpot mug for your facebook friend nathalie. In the anglosaxon the word mad was used as a synonym for violent, furious, angry, or venomous. Related words crackpot synonyms, antonyms, hypernyms and hyponyms. Information about crackpot in the dictionary, synonyms and antonyms. Soon the crackpot gave a little laugh, did a small dance step, and skipped out of sight across the street and around the corner the crackpot looked around in alarm, saw his neighbors smiling at his discomfort, and looked back at themus, who had stopped directly in front of him the crackpot wore a shirt and slacks of motley, a flat mortarboardtype hat askew. What does crackpot mean definition of crackpot word finder. Crackpot the meaning and origin of this word the phrase finder. The site has become a favorite resource of teachers of reading, spelling, and english as a second language. The online etymology dictionary is the internets goto source for quick and reliable accounts of the origin and history of english words, phrases, and idioms.
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