Where does “wisecrack” come from?

wisecrack (English) comes from English crack, from Middle English crak, from Old Norse kráka, from Proto-Germanic *krakǭ, from Proto-Germanic krakōną, from Proto-Indo-European ǵerh₂- — to grow old, to mature.

wisecrack (English): A witty or sarcastic comment or quip; To make a...

Definitions

  1. A witty or sarcastic comment or quip; To make a...

Ancestry of “wisecrack”, step by step

wisecrack traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English crack

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcrackTo form cracks; To break apart under pressure; To...
2Middle Englishcrakloud conversation, bragging talk
3Old Norsekrákacrow
4Proto-Germanic*krakǭ—
5Proto-Germanickrakōnąto crack; crackle; shriek
6Proto-Indo-Europeanǵerh₂-to grow old, to mature

via English wise

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwiseShowing good judgement or the benefit of...
2Middle Englishwyswise, thoughtful, proper; knowledgeable; alert,...
3Old Englishwīswise
4Proto-Germanicwīsazwise, knowledgeable
5Proto-Indo-Europeanweydstosknowledgeable
6Proto-Indo-Europeanweyd-to see

Words derived from “wisecrack”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵerh₂- →
wisecrack — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer