crackerjack

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English

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Alternative forms

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Pronunciation

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Etymology 1

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From crack (highly skilled, excellent) +‎ -er +‎ jack (man).

Adjective

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crackerjack (comparative more crackerjack, superlative most crackerjack)

  1. Exceptionally fine or excellent; top-notch; high quality.
  2. Expert, top-rated or high-performing.

Noun

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crackerjack (plural crackerjacks)

  1. An exceptionally fine or excellent thing or person.
  2. An expert or top-rated individual (e.g., a marksman).

Etymology 2

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From the trademark Cracker Jack popcorn snack featuring a blue sailor-suited man on the box.

Adjective

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crackerjack (not comparable)

  1. (US, slang) Referring to clothing items (pants, jersey, collar) that constitute the traditional blue uniform of the enlisted men of the US Navy.

Noun

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crackerjack (countable and uncountable, plural crackerjacks)

  1. (US, slang, in the plural) The traditional blue uniforms of the enlisted men of the US Navy.
  2. (US, slang) A U.S. Navy sailor.
  3. (US, uncountable) Popcorn candied in molasses-flavored caramel and peanuts.
    • 1946, James T. Farrell, Bernard Clare, page 280:
      "Here, here's the popcorn man," Sid said as a vendor passed, pushing a cart. Sid bought a package of crackerjack and opened it while Mickey jumped up and down, unable to wait.

See also

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