crocus sack: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Regional, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “crocus sack” mean?
A large, coarse bag made of strong material, typically used for carrying agricultural products like potatoes, grain, or cotton.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, coarse bag made of strong material, typically used for carrying agricultural products like potatoes, grain, or cotton.
Any large, durable sack made of jute, burlap, or similar rough material, sometimes used for storage or in folk expressions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'crocus sack' is almost exclusively American, specifically Southern US regionalism. In British English, the equivalent would be 'hessian sack', 'burlap sack', or simply 'sack'.
Connotations
In American usage, it often carries nostalgic, rural, or working-class connotations. In British contexts, it has no specific regional resonance.
Frequency
Very rare in British English; low and regionally restricted in American English, primarily heard among older generations in the Southern US.
Grammar
How to Use “crocus sack” in a Sentence
carry X in a crocus sackfill the crocus sack with Xa crocus sack of XVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crocus sack” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- He crocus-sacked the potatoes for market.
adjective
American English
- She wore a crocus-sack apron while gardening.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical or linguistic studies of regional American English.
Everyday
Used informally, mainly by older speakers in specific US regions for recalling agricultural tasks.
Technical
Not used in modern technical contexts; replaced by specific material terms like 'burlap' or 'polypropylene'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crocus sack”
- Spelling as 'crocus sac'.
- Assuming it is a small, delicate bag (confusion with the crocus flower).
- Using it in formal or international contexts where it is not understood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not. The 'crocus' in this term is a folk-etymological alteration, likely from 'croker' or referring to a coarse fabric called 'crocus cloth'.
It is primarily a Southern US regionalism, particularly in rural areas, though its use is now quite rare and mostly among older generations.
In general American English, 'burlap bag' or 'gunnysack' are more widely understood synonyms.
It is not advisable. The term is informal, regional, and archaic. Use standard terms like 'burlap sack' or 'hessian sack' instead.
A large, coarse bag made of strong material, typically used for carrying agricultural products like potatoes, grain, or cotton.
Crocus sack: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrəʊkəs sæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkroʊkəs sæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tough as a crocus sack”
- “look like something dragged out of a crocus sack”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CROCodile hiding in a rough SACK – both are coarse and tough, just like the material of a crocus sack.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR HARD WORK / AGRICULTURAL LABOUR (e.g., 'He carried his childhood in that crocus sack').
Practice
Quiz
'Crocus sack' is best described as: