Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CRACK, krak(k), n.2 A small, stunted person arrived at maturity but of poor physique; gen. in phr. a crack o' a thing (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.), a krak(k) o' a ting (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). Cf. Cracken, n.2
[Cf. Dan. krak(ke), broken-down horse, borrowed from L.Ger. krakke, id., also = a weak person.]