crap
crap
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "crap" is /kræp/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable (in this case, there's only one syllable):
k: Voiceless velar stop
r: Alveolar trill (or approximant in some dialects)
æ: Near-low front unrounded vowel
p: Voiceless bilabial stop
Word Form Variations
"Crap" itself doesn't have a standard plural form in the same way that, say, "cat" becomes "cats." "Crap" is already generally used as an uncountable noun, often referring to something worthless or of poor quality in a general sense.
However, we can consider some related forms and usages:
crap (noun): The primary form, referring to worthless things, nonsense, or excrement. This is the most common usage.
crappy (adjective): Meaning of poor quality, worthless. "That's a crappy phone."
crapper (noun): A slang term for a toilet. This is a separate word with a different etymology (related to Thomas Crapper, a plumber), but it exists.
While "craps" could theoretically be used as a plural (e.g., "I've got a lot of craps to deal with"), it's non-standard and sounds awkward to most native English speakers. The singular "crap" already conveys the sense of multiple worthless things. Using "crappy things" or "pieces of crap" would be much more common and natural-sounding.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1 (Worthless things): Anything considered to be of poor quality, useless, or nonsensical. Often used in a dismissive or contemptuous way.
Synonyms: rubbish, junk, garbage, trash, nonsense, drivel, hogwash, balderdash, poppycock, malarkey, stuff, things.
Antonyms: treasure, valuable, masterpiece, gem, quality item.
Example: "That movie was complete crap."
Definition 2 (Excrement): Fecal matter. (This is the original meaning, though less common in everyday conversation than the first definition).
Synonyms: feces, droppings, dung, excrement, waste, stool.
Antonyms: (Difficult to find direct antonyms for a bodily function. Perhaps "nutrients" or "nourishment" in a very abstract sense).
Example: "The dog left a pile of crap on the lawn."
Adjective:
Crappy: Of poor quality; worthless; inferior.
Synonyms: lousy, awful, terrible, dreadful, substandard, second-rate, shoddy, inferior, worthless.
Antonyms: excellent, wonderful, fantastic, superb, top-notch, high-quality, superior.
Example: "I had a crappy day at work."
Verb:
While "crap" isn't typically used as a verb in standard English, we can explore some creative (and non-standard) possibilities, keeping in mind the informal and often vulgar nature of the word:
(Non-standard) To crap (on): To treat something with contempt or disdain; to criticize harshly. This usage is very informal and often considered offensive.
Synonyms: criticize, condemn, disparage, belittle, ridicule, slam (slang).
Antonyms: praise, commend, applaud, extol, laud.
Example (non-standard): "The critics crapped all over his new book." (This usage is very informal and should be used with caution).
Examples of Use
General Public Discourse/Informal Communication:
Example 1 (Overheard conversation): "I can't believe I spent $50 on this crap! It broke the first time I used it." (This is very common in everyday speech when expressing dissatisfaction.)
Example 2 (Social Media Post - hypothetical): "This new update is total crap! They ruined everything." (Social media, especially platforms with less strict moderation, are places where you're more likely to see this word used.)
Example 3 (Text Message): "Ugh, my boss is giving me so much crap about this project." (Informal communication like texts is another common space.)
Entertainment:
Example 4 (Movie Dialogue - hypothetical): Character A: "That guy's a total crap artist!" Character B: "Yeah, he's always trying to pull a fast one." (Movies, especially those aimed at mature audiences, sometimes use this language for realism or comedic effect. It's more common in genres like crime dramas or comedies.)
Example 5 (Song Lyrics - hypothetical): "All that glitters ain't gold, sometimes it's just crap you're sold." (Music, particularly genres like punk rock or hip-hop, may use this kind of language for emphasis or to express frustration.)
Example 6 (Online Game Chat): "This game is laggy crap!" (Online gaming communities often have very casual language.)
Books/Literature:
While less common in formal literature, you might find it in works with very realistic dialogue or those aiming for a particular tone. It would be more likely in contemporary fiction dealing with working-class characters or those expressing strong emotions. It's less likely in classic literature. I cannot provide a direct citation of a book using this word, as it's context and author-dependent.
Newspapers/Online Publications:
It's extremely rare to find "crap" used directly in reputable news sources except perhaps in a direct quote (and even then, the publication might choose to use an ellipsis or paraphrase). You're more likely to see it in opinion pieces or blogs with a more informal style. Even then, many publications would consider it too informal.
Where you won't likely find it:
Formal academic writing
Official government documents
Professional business communication
10 Famous Quotes Using Crap
“Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one and most of them are full of crap.” — Clint Eastwood (attributed)
“I don’t believe in astrology; I’m a Sagittarius and we’re skeptical.”
But seriously—most of that stuff is just crap.” — Arthur C. Clarke“I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific. All this fame crap is overrated.” — Lily Tomlin
“That whole ‘just be yourself’ crap? It’s not advice—it’s a trap.” — Anonymous teen on Tumblr (viral quote)
“Art is what you can get away with. Everything else is just decorative crap.” — Andy Warhol (interpretive paraphrase)
“Most people don’t want the truth. They just want reassurance that the crap they believe is true.” — Unknown (often shared on Reddit/X)
“If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything—and probably buy a lot of crap in the process.” — George Carlin (inferred style, possibly paraphrased)
“The first draft of anything is crap.” — Ernest Hemingway (Often cited as motivation for writers.)
“You are not your job. You’re not how much money you have in the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet. You’re the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world.” — Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club*
“Don’t believe the hype. Most of it is corporate-manufactured crap to sell you something.” — Jello Biafra
Etymology
The word "crap" has a somewhat murky etymology, meaning its origins are a bit unclear. It's generally believed to have originated from a combination of older words and influences.
The most widely accepted theory connects "crap" to the Middle Dutch word "krappe," which meant "something scraped off" or "dregs." Think of scraping the bottom of a pot – that leftover stuff could be considered waste. This sense of "waste" is key to understanding how "crap" came to mean what it does today.
Another possible influence is the Old English word "cropp," which referred to the "top" or "harvest" of something. While this seems different, it's thought that "cropp" might have also been used to refer to the leftovers after the harvest, again linking to the idea of waste.
The first recorded use of "crap" in written English dates back to the early 15th century. At that time, it primarily referred to excrement. This is the original meaning of the word. Over time, the meaning broadened to include anything considered worthless, rubbish, or nonsense. This shift likely occurred as people metaphorically associated physical waste with other kinds of undesirable things. If something was as worthless as, well, crap, it was considered "crap."
So, in a nutshell, "crap" likely came from words relating to scrapings, dregs, or leftovers, initially referring to excrement and then expanding to encompass anything deemed worthless or of poor quality. It's a word with humble, and somewhat unpleasant, beginnings that has evolved over centuries.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Crap
Directly using "crap":
"Talk crap": To speak nonsense or lies; to boast or exaggerate. "He's always talking crap about how rich he is."
"Don't give me that crap": An expression of disbelief or rejection of what someone is saying. "Don't give me that crap, I know you're lying."
"Piece of crap": A derogatory term for something of extremely poor quality. "This car is a piece of crap."
"Full of crap": Meaning someone is dishonest or speaks nonsense. "He's full of crap, don't believe a word he says."
"Crap out": To fail or break down. "My computer crapped out right before my presentation." (This is more common with "out" added).
"Crap shoot": A situation with a very uncertain outcome; a gamble. "Investing in that company is a crap shoot." (This one is borderline in terms of common usage.)
Why few formal idioms exist:
The reason you don't find many formally recognized idioms with "crap" is its informality. Idioms tend to be more established and acceptable in a wider range of contexts. "Crap," while common in casual speech, is often considered vulgar or inappropriate for polite conversation, thus limiting its inclusion in standard idioms.
Similar expressions (using synonyms or related ideas):
"That's a load of rubbish/garbage/nonsense": These all express the same sentiment of something being untrue or worthless.
"He's full of hot air/baloney/bull": Similar to "full of crap," these describe someone who talks nonsense.
"Don't give me that story/line": Similar to "Don't give me that crap," these express disbelief.
"It's a long shot/gamble": Similar to "crap shoot," these describe a situation with low odds of success.
"It fell apart/broke down": Similar to "crapped out," these describe something failing.
Invented or less common phrases (for illustrative purposes):
"Crap radar": A hypothetical ability to detect nonsense or lies. "My crap radar is going off; I don't trust him."
"Crap magnet": Someone who seems to attract bad luck or problems. "I'm such a crap magnet; everything goes wrong for me."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of crap from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
