The one used to insult white people.
2006-06-13 15:14:38 · 24 answers · asked by Coffee-Infused Insomniac 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Yeah, but why is it an insult?
Can I just walk up to someone and insult them with "Chicken Soup" or "French toast" or "Kung pao chicken"?
2006-06-13 15:19:41 · update #1
You already answered it. It is an insult.
2006-06-13 15:17:03 · answer #1 · answered by Nick 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The American Heritage Dictionary defines "cracker" as "a disparaging term for a poor white person of the rural, especially southeast United States." In the 1960s, when many white Southerners took a stand against civil rights for minorities, the label became closely associated with white bigotry. Today, the term is more commonly used as a general insult for a "white person." But just how offensive is this label?
Some people believe that calling a white person a "cracker" is the equivalent of calling a black person a "******." They insist that both labels are racist slurs and therefore deplorable. Others believe that "cracker" is a much less offensive term. They argue that minorities, such as blacks, who have been historically oppressed, have earned the right to vent their frustrations, whereas the white majority has not. Meanwhile, some whites actually embrace the label "cracker" and feel it reflects their Southern rural roots.
So, how did the word "cracker" come to be connected with Caucasians in the first place? The origins of the label are uncertain, yet there is little reason to believe it has anything to do with the salty treat parrots call for by name. A common, though not well substantiated theory is that "cracker" comes from the sound of the whip used to drive cattle, or much more disturbingly, to punish a slave.
A.C. Kemp of slangcity.com suggests a more academically supported theory that "cracker" derives from the Southern practice of "cracking corn" to make moonshine whiskey. Kemp also points out that Shakespeare used the term "cracker" to describe an arrogant, boastful person--a description that may have been applied to the rugged pioneers of the Deep South. In addition, Ste. Claire, organizer of the exhibit entitled "Cracker Culture in Florida History," suggests that the label may be related to the architectural style known as "Florida Cracker."
2006-06-13 22:24:31 · answer #2 · answered by Mensan Gal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term cracker is an insult. A derogatory term for a white person.
The word is a mimic of the sound made by a whip used on human beings. The "crack", if you will.
People of conscious in the South loathed the idea that other humans were being ill treated as such, that the most despicable person most knew was a man who used a whip on people. The Southern gentry detested the practice and called a man who used it a "cracker". Such a person would likely be of poor char actor and morals.
So, this insult from the vast majority of Southerners was a hand-me-down to some who didn't clearly understand its meaning, only the vehemence they'd heard in its delivery.
But that's just my opinion, i could be wrong.
2006-06-13 22:29:31 · answer #3 · answered by bogart_that 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not really an insult.Native Floridians use the term to describe themselves quite proudly.
I think the term came about becuase when they spea\k there voice cracks due to the expressions and accent.
Later american blacks used it as a derogotory term to describe white folk as white crackers but it still is not as derogatory and hurtful as the other words we used for them.Remember we were the the ones who did them the injustice. So any insults like that that are not as common as they were during the civil rights movement can never be that bad.Things are getting better I think and there will be more love in the world as time goes on.
2006-06-13 22:38:10 · answer #4 · answered by realestate_leader 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term is old and was originally used by Northern whites to speak of ill of poor southern whites. Also it was a term used for the ignorant. Now it is supposed to insult a caucausian by other races. If I am called a Cracker I usually ask what type "Saltine", "Captain's Wafer", "Ritz" etc. Its only an insult if you let it be.
2006-06-13 22:37:02 · answer #5 · answered by sufoll 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word cracker is a negative term used to insult a caucasian
2006-06-13 22:19:26 · answer #6 · answered by ajuicy_fruit 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cracker comes from cracking a whip. When African people were slaves this was what they were usually punished with. As time has gone on, it has come to mean many things. In this day and time, it refers to white people as slang from African-Americans, this was also true of honky in the 60's.
2006-06-13 22:24:31 · answer #7 · answered by armymom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just means a white person. Like a cracker white people are white.
2006-06-13 22:18:26 · answer #8 · answered by The Invisible Woman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, look here my man I've got two questions for you... Are you white??? And where the hell have they had you hidhen since 60's??? Because you apparenty have never seen a television program or read a book or newspaper.... He have you had a IQ test ever in your entire... for lack of knowledge of this type of subject material make anything but, short a severely mental challenge chimp.... C'mon man use your head for something other than a hat rack
2006-06-13 22:40:55 · answer #9 · answered by mr_wonderful71 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It referes to an uneducated person who has to make end meet by being a corn-cracker.
Do keep in mind that Georgia calls itself "The Cracker State"
2006-06-13 22:22:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically, it's a slang term for white people. Most cracker's are white, hence white person = cracker.
2006-06-13 22:21:03 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋