crackerjack
See also: cracker-jack and Cracker Jack
English
Alternative forms
Pronunciation
Audio (AU): (file)
Etymology 1
From crack (“highly skilled, excellent”) + -er + jack (“man”).
Adjective
crackerjack (comparative more crackerjack, superlative most crackerjack)
- Exceptionally fine or excellent; top-notch; high quality.
- Expert, top-rated or high-performing.
Noun
crackerjack (plural crackerjacks)
- An exceptionally fine or excellent thing or person.
- An expert or top-rated individual (e.g., a marksman).
Etymology 2
From the trademark Cracker Jack popcorn snack featuring a blue sailor-suited man on the box.
Adjective
crackerjack (not comparable)
- (US, slang) Referring to clothing items (pants, jersey, collar) that constitute the traditional blue uniform of the enlisted men of the US Navy, following the sailor uniform worn by Sailor Jack on boxes of Cracker Jack snacks.
Noun
crackerjack (countable and uncountable, plural crackerjacks)
- (US, slang, in the plural) The traditional blue uniforms of the enlisted men of the US Navy.
- (US, slang) A U.S. Navy sailor.
- (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
crackerjack on Wikipedia.Wikipedia