crank, cranky

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William Hupy
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crank, cranky

Postby William Hupy » Sat Dec 21, 2013 9:54 am

I would be willing to bet a whole dollar that crank has its origin in the German "krank" for sick. How it evolved into an ill tempered person is easily discerned. I wonder if the mechanical type of crank is of the same heritage.
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eberntson
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Re: crank, cranky

Postby eberntson » Fri Jan 10, 2014 11:48 pm

Not just a ill tempered old codger, let's not forget "crank calls". Probably inspired by folks who have to much time on their hands and niggle the authorities with little stuff of not much import.

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EBERNTSON
Fear less, hope more;
eat less, chew more;
whine less, breathe more;
talk less, say more,
and all good things will be yours.
--R. Burns

Philip Hudson
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Re: crank, cranky

Postby Philip Hudson » Sat Jan 11, 2014 3:48 am

www.Etymonline.com does not give you much to go on, William. Crank has meant twisted or turned for eons. There is some support for a Dutch word similar to the German “krank”, meaning ill. IK can find no modern Dutch word like that. It is not convincing to me.

I have been called cranky on many occasions.
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Re: crank, cranky

Postby Perry Lassiter » Sat Jan 11, 2014 4:14 pm

Occasionally, I still hear people talking about cranking up the car.
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Slava
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Re: crank, cranky

Postby Slava » Sat Jan 11, 2014 6:19 pm

Occasionally, I still hear people talking about cranking up the car.
Or, in mid-summer: "When I get home, I'm cranking up the AC!"

Or the reverse in the middle of a polar vortex.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.


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