gimcrack
pronunciation
How to pronounce gimcrack in British English:
UK [ˈdʒɪmkræk]
How to pronounce gimcrack in American English:
US [ˈdʒɪmˌkræk]
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- Adjective:
- tastelessly showy
Word Origin
- gimcrack (n.)
- "trifle, knick-knack," by c. 1820, earlier "mechanical contrivance" (1630s), originally "showy person" (1610s), of uncertain origin. Perhaps an alteration of Middle English gibecrake, the name of some kind of ornament on wooden furniture (mid-14c.), which is perhaps from Old French giber "to rattle, shake" + some special sense of Middle English crak "sharp noise, crack." In 18c.-19c. gimcrack also could mean "person who has a turn for mechanical contrivances."
Example
- 1. Gimcrack shops offer cash-remittance services to distant lands .
- 2. She criticized the gimcrack architecture of the 1970s which she said had already lost its appeal .
- 3. An entry in the group 2 gimcrack stakes at york next month suggests that he has been impressing in his homework .
- 4. But the scars of the soviet era , and the gaudy gimcrack results of 20 years of crony capitalism , are visible too .