Contents
- 1 English
- 1.1 Etymology
- 1.2 Pronunciation
- 1.3 Noun
- 1.4 See also
- 1.5 References
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From crunchy. Use to refer to infantrymen in Vietnam is from their "crunching" through the jungle brush. Use to refer to white Afrikaners is perhaps from their supposed tendency to eat crunchy food.[1]
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
crunchie (plural crunchies)
- A somewhat granola- or cookie-like chocolate-covered sweet, served in bar form.
1935, Enid Bagnold, National Velvet, page 18:
See AlsoMost Valuable Hallmark Ornaments (Worth Upto $2,500) - Vip Art FairThe two common dates when you traditionally take down your Christmas treeTypes Of Christmas Ornaments And Holiday Decorations | Ornament Shop BlogA brief history of chicken soup, the ‘Jewish penicillin’“Crunchie?” said Velvet, her face lighting. “I got them this morning.” “On tick still?” “Yes. She was cross but I swore we'd pay by Saturday.” In the gold paper was a chocolate stick. Beneath the chocolate was a sort of honeycomb, crisp and friable, something between biscuit and burnt sugar. Fry's chocolate crunchie.
2000, Lynn Bedford Hall, The Best of Cooking in South Africa, page 207:
A different method and a different flavour from the usual brown crunchie. The recipe is easily doubled for a larger batch.
- (US Vietnam era military slang, usually in the plural) An infantry soldier, a grunt.
2016, Micheal Clodfelter, Mad Minutes and Vietnam Months: A Soldier’s Memoir, →ISBN:
To the subjective mind of the combat crunchie and cannon co*cker, executing with his legs, sweat, and often his life, the grand designs […]
- (South Africa, slang, derogatory, offensive, ethnic slur) A white Afrikaner.
1990, Rian Malan, My Traitor's Heart: Blood and Bad Dreams, page 54:
[…] the tyranny of the rockspiders, crunchies, hairybacks, ropes, and bloody Dutchmen. Those were the names by which we referred to Afrikaners.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Maureen Perkins, Locating Life Stories: Beyond East-west Binaries (2012), page 80: "The demeaning terms “rock spider,” [...] and “crunchie” were used to imply that white Afrikaners had hairy bodies; were buffoons, fools, or people who talk nonsense; and who ate dried mealie (maize) cobs, which resonates with the derogatory use of boer."
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As a seasoned linguist and language enthusiast with a profound understanding of etymology, pronunciation, and lexical nuances, I find great joy in delving into the intricate tapestry of words and their evolution. My extensive experience allows me to decipher the roots of language and trace the fascinating journey of words through time and cultures. Now, let's unravel the layers of meaning embedded in the article you've provided, showcasing my expertise in English linguistics.
Etymology:
The term "crunchie" has a multifaceted etymology. The primary usage, as mentioned, originates from the word "crunchy." In the context of infantrymen during the Vietnam War, the term is believed to stem from the soldiers' act of "crunching" through the jungle brush. Another usage refers to white Afrikaners, with a potential connection to their perceived penchant for eating crunchy food.
Pronunciation:
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription for "crunchie" is /ˈkɹʌnt͡ʃi/. This representation captures the precise sounds and phonetic elements of the word, aiding in its accurate pronunciation.
Noun:
-
Crunchie (Sweet):
- Description: A chocolate-covered sweet, somewhat granola- or cookie-like, served in bar form.
- Historical Usage: Mentioned in Enid Bagnold's "National Velvet" (1935), where it describes a chocolate stick with honeycomb beneath the chocolate, akin to Fry's chocolate crunchie.
-
Crunchie (Military Slang):
- Definition: In the context of the US Vietnam era military slang, particularly in the plural, it refers to an infantry soldier, colloquially known as a grunt.
-
Crunchie (South African Slang - Offensive):
- Definition: In South African slang, specifically derogatory and offensive, it refers to a white Afrikaner.
- Usage: Rian Malan's "My Traitor's Heart" (1990) provides an example where derogatory terms like "crunchies" are used to refer to Afrikaners.
See also:
- Crunchies ("dry cat food in the form of small pellets"): This term refers to dry cat food presented as small pellets, unrelated to the previous usages.
- Crunchy ("hippie"): The term is mentioned as a related concept, implying a connection to the stereotype of a "hippie."
References:
The reference by Maureen Perkins sheds light on the derogatory use of terms like "rock spider" and "crunchie" in relation to white Afrikaners, portraying them as buffoons with hairy bodies who eat dried maize cobs.
In conclusion, my expertise allows me to navigate the intricacies of language evolution, providing a comprehensive understanding of the various facets of the term "crunchie" as outlined in the article.
