Highly versatile word used throughout Ireland (not just the north as has been asserted by some) ,meaning (shared and /or convival) fun, or excitement e.g."great crack at the disco last night!", also news "What's the crack?" It also has a subsidiary meaning of "Funny business". "Don't come that crack with me!" (Don't mess with me) Clearly related to "crack" in standard English, as in "wisecracks,""cracking jokes" etc.While proponents of "Ulster-Scots" (northern Hiberno-English) claim that it was assimilated into Irish and then Hiberno-English from Scots or Ulster-Scots the truth is more complex. The (Gaelic) Irish lexicographer Dineen lists the term "cracaire" (basically an asshole!) neary a century ago while Newnes New Comprehensive Dictionary of the English Languge (circa 1920)ascribes Dutch, Anglo-Saxon and Gaelic antecedents to the word "crack" when used in the sense of fun or chat - but not in Scots (language) except in the sense of "an instant" e.g. "the crack of dawn". The spelling "craic" is of relatively recent origin, probably for pseudo-aesthetic reasons.Whatever its antecedence it is clear that the word has now evolved a uniquely Irish and largely gaelic persona.
Great craic at the disco last night What's the craic?/Any craic? That's no craic! The craic was ninety!craic agus ceol
by Con-John a 'Bheirne March 23, 2010
Not to be confused with crack, as in the drug, craic comes from Irish Gaelic, and is most commonly used in the north-east of England as an excuse for all the times you went doon the toon and got fucking mortal.
by lesbianlizard July 17, 2020
by Lolatyou November 1, 2013
to have a good time/light hearted banter/gossip. Although found in the ulster scots language its origins lie deep in old english.
by ulster fry August 8, 2003
'Craic' is the Irish version of the English word 'crack' and means 'fun'. When used by Irish people it is usually given a faux-Erse spelling.
"What's the craic, hah?"
by Offramp June 20, 2006
by 8818181882877 May 17, 2017
There are many different forms of craic, the highest of which is deserving of a capital C. The Craic, as we know it, is the purest form, and is in fact practised by very few people, even in Ireland. Its lesser but vastly more popular cousin is known to some as Mastercard craic, or Mastercraic, for short, but the superiority suggested by its name is unfounded. It is often identified with bhodrhans, Guinness, and thick woolen jumpers. Americans in particular are very fond of this parody of Craic, much to the chagrin of all true Good Men of Craic. It is well documented that women in general are No Craic.
In the name of Craic...
Be a bit of Craic and buy a drink.
When you asked that girl was she going the Hard Way, that was some Craic.
Be a bit of Craic and buy a drink.
When you asked that girl was she going the Hard Way, that was some Craic.
by McCraickin January 17, 2005