craic

Where does the word "craic" come from? It comes from Scots crack, and was adopted directly into English (1970s).

Craic’s story begins in Scots: crack meant “chat, gossip.” 'chat, gossip', from the verb crack 'talk loudly'; Robert Burns's Epistle to J. Lapraik (1785) mentions gathering 'to ca' the crack'. It reached English by 1970s as craic. Ulster and Irish English used 'crack' for fun and banter; the Gaelic spelling craic, a borrowing back from English, spread from the 1970s. Today, craic means (Irish) fun, lively conversation and a good time.

1. Stage 1 · Scots · 1700s crack "chat, gossip", 'chat, gossip', from the verb crack 'talk loudly'; Robert Burns's Epistle to J. Lapraik (1785) mentions gathering 'to ca' the crack'.
2. Stage 2 · Irish · 1970s craic "fun, good times", Ulster and Irish English used 'crack' for fun and banter; the Gaelic spelling craic, a borrowing back from English, spread from the 1970s.