cack
LowVulgar, Slang, Informal, Childish
Definition
Meaning
The act of defecating; excrement, feces. A vulgar term for defecation or feces.
Can be used as a mild, childish insult or exclamation of disgust (e.g., 'Oh cack!'). Sometimes used more broadly to mean rubbish, nonsense, or something of poor quality.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun, but can be used as a verb (to cack). Considered childish or vulgar, not used in polite conversation. Similar to 'poo' but cruder. May be used humorously among close friends.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common and recognised in British English, especially in the 'childish insult' sense. In American English, it is very rare and might be completely unknown to many speakers.
Connotations
In British English, can carry a humorous, schoolboy-ish, or mildly scatological tone. In American English, if recognised, is likely seen as an odd Britishism.
Frequency
Very infrequent in both varieties, but has niche usage in UK.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
do a cackbe cackload of cackto cack oneselfVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “load of old cack (nonsense)”
- “to cack oneself (to be very frightened)”
- “cack-handed (clumsy, left-handed)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Very limited use; only in informal, crude, or humorous contexts among certain social groups.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The dog cacked on the neighbour's lawn.
- I need to cack.
American English
- (Rare/Unlikely) The baby cacked in his nappy.
adverb
British English
- (Virtually unused)
American English
- (Unused)
adjective
British English
- That's a cack idea.
- He's feeling a bit cack today.
American English
- (Virtually unused)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The little boy said he needed to do a cack.
- Yuck, there's cack on the path!
- He was so scared he almost cacked himself.
- This film is a load of old cack.
- The politician's speech was dismissed as utter cack by the critics.
- Don't be so cack-handed with that vase!
- The avant-garde play was derided by traditionalists as pretentious cack, though it found a cult following.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a chicken's 'cluck' sounding like 'cack' – but what comes out the other end?
Conceptual Metaphor
Waste/Excrement as a metaphor for something worthless or nonsensical (e.g., 'That idea is just cack').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'кака' (childish word for feces) as a direct translation; 'cack' is cruder and less standard.
- Has no relation to Russian 'как' (how).
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'cack' with 'cackle' (a loud laugh).
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Overestimating its recognition among American English speakers.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'cack' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is considered vulgar slang, but milder than words like 'shit'. It is inappropriate for formal contexts.
It's an informal British term meaning clumsy or awkward, especially with one's hands. It originated as a derogatory term for left-handed people.
It is extremely rare in American English. Most Americans would not use it or might only know it from British media.
Yes, informally (e.g., 'to cack oneself' meaning to be very frightened, or literally 'to defecate').