crash etymology

Etymology

The word "crash" derives from the Old English word "crascian," which means "to crack" or "to break." It is related to the Dutch word "kraken" and the German word "krachen," both meaning "to crack."

Meaning

A "crash" refers to a sudden and violent collision or breakdown, typically resulting in damage or destruction. It can also be used figuratively to describe a sudden failure or collapse, such as a financial crash or a political scandal.

Origin

The word "crash" is believed to have originated from the sound of breaking objects, such as the crashing of glass or metal. The term "crash landing" was first used in the early 20th century to describe the forced landing of an aircraft due to mechanical failure or other emergencies.

Usage

Today, the word "crash" is commonly used in various contexts, including:

• A sudden and violent physical collision: "The car crashed into the tree."
• A catastrophic breakdown or failure: "The computer crashed."
• A sudden economic or financial downturn: "The stock market crashed."
• A loud, jarring sound: "The thunder crashed."
• A party or social event with music and dancing: "We went to a crash last night."

crash relate terms

• wreck

  Etymology Middle English wreken from Old English wrecan Proto Germanic wrekōną

• clash

  Etymology The word clash comes from the Middle English word clashen which in turn i

• collapse

  Etymology Origin 1620s from French collapser from Medieval Latin collapsus from La

• samba

  Etymology The word samba comes from the Brazilian Portuguese word samba which is der

• stampede

  Etymology The word stampede comes from the Spanish word estampida which originally

• ditch

  Etymology Middle English diche from Old English dic dyc ditch dike Old English

• cast

  Etymology The word cast has several distinct etymologies As a verb From Middle En

• noise

  Etymology Old French noyse from Latin nausea seasickness nausea Meaning Any