You find in dictionaries oed for example that what the british call biscuit, is called cookie or cracker in america. Definition of cracker written for english language learners from the merriamwebster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and countnoncount noun labels. This page explains what the slang term cracker means. Cracker noun definition and synonyms macmillan dictionary. Clear explanations of natural written and spoken english. For hong kong chinese and chinese elsewhere, the object traditionally of setting off crackers was to dispel evil spirits and thus pave the way for uninterrupted success. Catalogue for tom smiths christmas novelties from 1911. Crackers make great snacks, whether youre topping them with cheese, dipping them in peanut butter or hummus or eating them straight out of the box. Urban dictionary and our advertising partners set cookies on your computer to improve our site and the advertisements you see. A small cake of shortened bread leavened with baking powder or soda.
There is no timelimit for the duration of this ive witnessed paper hats still on wellfed somnolent forms well past the queens speech, way into the evening and, occasionally, at breakfast the following morning. Passengers on commercial flights in and to the united states are explicitly prohibited from carrying christmas crackers on board or in checked baggage. Im afraid the best choice would be british biscuit. Information about crackers in the dictionary, synonyms and antonyms.
Some of rosenfelds favorite crackers are nontraditional, such as seed crackers, or those made only from parmesan cheese, which are low in fat, calories, and carbohydrates. British empire definition of british empire by the free. Whole grain should be the top ingredient, sugar nonexistent, and sodium at the bottom. Georgia cracker, a cattle driver of the georgia plains, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries florida cracker, a cattle driver of the florida scrub regions, in the late 19th and early 20th. The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. First developed in 1829, they remain a popular snack food, and millions of. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the slangit team.
Smith included a romantic message inside his early crackers which he marketed in britainas kiss. In the 1970s, gasfilled, breakable ampoules of amyl nitrite. Biscuit dictionary definition biscuit defined yourdictionary. Joseph chamberlain was the most powerful colonial advocate of his day and would have.
From their worldbeating jacobs cream crackers, to the other delicious, crispy, crunchy items in their impressive range, theyre the perfect accompaniment to cheese and a vast range of other ingredients. Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 350f for 810 minutes. Definition and synonyms of cracker from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. It is sometimes used in a neutral context in reference to a native of florida or georgia see florida cracker and. The inbetweeners is a popular british comedy show about a group of teenage boys that uses a lot of casual language. Once popped open, a christmas cracker reveals a small treat or toy inside. When it comes to high quality british crackers, jacobs are an iconic brand which many households simply couldnt get by without. It was during a visit to paris, where he came across the bobbon, a sugar almond wrapped in tissue paper with a twist on either side of the centrally placed sweet. Party crackers are a british tradition dating back to victorian times when a confectioner started selling sugared almonds, each with a motto and wrapped in a twisted paper package, as love tokens. We are constantly updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. The war of independence pushed popular taste away from the british versions of words, and so the twicecooked item we all know and love became a cookie or a cracker, leaving the way clear for biscuit to be taken up in america as a word for a small sconelike soft bread, served either as a side dish or with gravy which is another term the. Apr 27, 2018 sri lankans often refer to anything from a cookie to a wafer to a cracker as a biscuit. Yankee food ingenuity extends far beyond the humble cracker.
The most widely accepted story is that they were invented in the mid1840s by a london pastry cook named tom smith, who came upon the idea while on a trip to paris where he witnessed the french holiday custom. Crackers have been a traditional part of british christmas festivities and other celebrations since victorian times. Cracker meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. He is a contributor for bbc america and has written for anglotopia. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage.
Crackers definition of crackers by the free dictionary. Do british people use the term cracker or biscuit to. Cracker, the debut studio album by the american rock band cracker, released on march 10, 1992 crackers song, a 1980 song by barbara mandrell crackers. The paper hat which usually has one serrated edge, like a kind of crown has to be worn. The oxford english dictionary records the use of cracker bonbons and the pulling of crackers from 1847. A couple of years ago i was interviewing a singer in an american band over the phone, and i asked what his plan for the holidays might be. The last celebration of empire day in australia took place in.
Dictionary grammar blog school scrabble thesaurus translator quiz more resources more from collins. For the same reason, slang appears often in british music, especially in pop, rap and hip hop. British slang is english language slang used and originating in the united kingdom and also. Cracker definition for englishlanguage learners from.
I found a box of cabin biscuits made in england at my local american grocery store, but when i opened it i found crackers. A cracker is a thin, crisp biscuit which is often eaten with cheese. The extension of settlement, including the effects of contact between european settlers in australia and aboriginal and torres straight islander peoples. British english, informal something that you think is very good, funny, etc. The adjectival sense derives from british naval expressions referring to firecrackers in ones head, originally as hes got the crackers and then hes gone crackers before the present he is crackers. British empire synonyms, british empire pronunciation, british empire translation, english dictionary definition of british empire. The gifts include puzzles, masks, tools, tiny treasures, jewels, tricks and novelty. Christmas crackers are a holiday tradition on both sides of the atlantic. It is sometimes used in a neutral context in reference to a native of florida or georgia see florida cracker and georgia cracker. Tradition tells of how tom smith 18231869 of london invented crackers in 1847. A short piece of twisted string tied to the end of a whip that creates the distinctive.
Definition of crackers adjective in oxford advanced learners dictionary. We talked for a little while about the specifics of his family christmas and i mentioned crackers, which turned out to be a festive. It was celebrated throughout the british empire culminating in fireworks and bonfires in the evening. British empire definition, a former collective term for the territories under the leadership or control of the british crown, including those in the commonwealth of. On your own, research and write down a definition for the following. Cracker term, a slang, sometimes derogatory term for any person of white european descent computer cracker or security hacker who maliciously exploits weaknesses in a computer or network. All definitions are approved by humans before publishing. The latter explanation makes sense, because in piney.
The epithet cracker has been applied in a derogatory way, like redneck, to rural, nonelite white southerners, more specifically to those of south georgia and north florida. Crackers definition in the cambridge english dictionary. Its such a central part of the british christmas, even to people that dont bother with them, that to meet someone who. Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. Before british colonised india in spice trade, the arabians, roman empire, portuguese and dutch had been taking control of india for the same reason. Crackers meaning in the cambridge english dictionary.
V408 cracker jack british empire victoria cross heroes. Cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a racial epithet for white people, used especially for poor rural whites in the southern united states. Why do you think attitudes towards slavery changed. Proper usage and audio pronunciation plus ipa phonetic transcription of the word crackers. Crackers make a loud noise when they are pulled apart and usually contain a small toy and a paper hat. Do british people use the term cracker or biscuit to refer to a thin, crispy, wheatbased snack. Graham crackers and related animal crackers are whole wheat crackers made with a special type of flour. Cracker definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Watch for the crackers to turn golden around the edges.
It followed that crackers would usually be lit to celebrate the opening of a new business, births and marriages, and any occasion that was the beginning of a new enterprise. Chinese new year was always a time for nonstop banging day. On your own, research and write down a definition for the following words. Christmas crackers were invented by thomas smith, a london pastry cook in 1846. These delightful christmas crackers are a british tradition. If you say that someone or something is a cracker, you like and admire them very much. One day a jet of resin from the confectioners log fire burst into flame with a loud crack. Information and translations of crackers in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Information and translations of crackers in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on. Change your default dictionary to american english. Cookies are made in all kinds of shapes and sizes and may be hard or. Passengers on commercial flights in and to the united states are explicitly prohibited from carrying.
North american english, slang an offensive word for a poor white person with little education from the southern us. The custom and origins of christmas crackers a bit about. The geographic and political units formerly under british control, including dominions, colonies, dependencies, trust territories, and protectorates. There is no timelimit for the duration of this ive witnessed paper hats still on wellfed somnolent forms well past the queens speech, way into the evening and. I should explain to your lordship what is meant by crackers.
Dizzee rascal is a famous british rapper who uses a. Sri lankans often refer to anything from a cookie to a wafer to a cracker as a biscuit. So weve made sure to include all the most popular british biscuits in our range. Folk etymology claims the term originated either from their cracking, or pounding, of corn rather than taking it to mill, or from their use of whips to drive cattle. This is the land, after all, where lobsters were elevated from sustenance for prisoners to sought. Laurence is a british expat living in indianapolis, indiana. The british east india company was a jointstock company that was originally formed to do business with the east indies. Our store carries various english christmas crackers, which are tubes covered in paper that crack or pop when you break them open. Definition of crackers from the cambridge advanced learners dictionary. He is editorinchief of lost in the pond and loves nothing more than to share his articles with anglophiles, expats, and other interested parties on social media. The british empire has formed a company called the british east india company. However, if you dig deep into where the biscuit came from, or the definition of what a biscuit is, you would be surprised at the different takes each country across the globe has on a simple biscuit.