gimcrack

英 ['dʒɪmkræk] 美 ['dʒɪm'kræk]
  • adj. 华而不实的;廉价的
  • n. 小玩意;华而不实之物

中文词源


gimcrack 劣质的

词源不详,可能来自拟声词。gim, 沙沙作响,crack,破裂声。即金属装饰片哗啦作响的声音,花里胡哨的,引申义劣质的。

英文词源


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."

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