Word-Built World: crunk

A page from Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!

Image: Random House

A.Word.A.Daywith Anu Garg

crunk

PRONUNCIATION:

(kruhnk) 

MEANING:

adjective:
1. Intoxicated.
2. Crazy.
3. Excited.
4. Wonderful.

ETYMOLOGY:

Of uncertain origin. Possibly a nonstandard past tense of crank, a variation of drunk, or a blend of crazy + drunk. Earliest documented use: 1972.

NOTES:

The first recorded use of crunk appears in Dr. Seuss’s 1972 book Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! where it describes a strange vehicle. This early usage seems unrelated to the later senses of the word. The word is also the name of a hip-hop subgenre, characterized by heavy bass call-and-response chants, and accelerated tempos.

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