cracky: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, dated, regional
Quick answer
What does “cracky” mean?
Informal adjective meaning 'cracked' or 'broken'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Informal adjective meaning 'cracked' or 'broken'; an old-fashioned interjection expressing surprise or excitement (typically 'by cracky!').
As an adjective, it describes something showing cracks or of poor quality. As an interjection, it expresses mild astonishment or emphasis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both uses are rare. The interjection may be slightly more recognized in older AmE due to its appearance in classic US media and literature.
Connotations
The adjective 'cracky' (e.g., cracky paint) can sound slightly childish or non-standard. The exclamation 'by cracky!' sounds quaint, rustic, and old-fashioned.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern corpora. The interjection is virtually obsolete outside of deliberate historical or humorous contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cracky” in a Sentence
[ADJ] Noun (The cracky old chair)Interjection, 'By cracky!'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cracky” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cracky varnish on the antique table needed restoration.
- He spoke in a high, cracky voice.
American English
- We threw out the cracky old vinyl records.
- The dry soil was hard and cracky.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Virtually never used, except in historical linguistics or folk studies.
Everyday
Very rare; might be used humorously to affect an old-timey persona.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cracky”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Spelling as 'crackey'.
- Assuming it's a modern synonym for 'crazy'.
- Overusing the interjection in modern speech.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered very rare and dated. You are unlikely to encounter it outside of specific historical or humorous contexts.
It is primarily used as an adjective (meaning cracked) or as part of the fixed interjection 'By cracky!'.
No, it is a very mild, old-fashioned euphemistic oath, similar to 'by golly' or 'by jingo'. It was used to avoid taking the Lord's name in vain.
Historically, there was some very informal, now obsolete slang use where it could mean 'crazy', but this is not a standard or current meaning.
Informal adjective meaning 'cracked' or 'broken'.
Cracky is usually informal, dated, regional in register.
Cracky: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkraki/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkræki/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “By cracky!”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old cowboy kicking a CRACKed boot and yelling, "By CRACKY!"
Conceptual Metaphor
BRITTLE IS UNSTABLE (for the adjective); SURPRISE IS A SUDDEN BREAK (for the exclamation).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the interjection 'By cracky!' most likely be used?