1
Stage 1 of 3
Fliegerabwehrkanone
German · 1930s
"anti-aircraft cannon"
an acronym meaning "aircraft defense cannon"
2
Stage 2 of 3
Flak
German · 1930s-1940s
"anti-aircraft fire"
shortened to the acronym for anti-aircraft fire
3
Stage 3 of 3
flak
English · 1940s
"anti-aircraft fire; harsh criticism"
adopted during World War II, later used figuratively
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