English

Etymology
Crock comes from Old English crocc, crucca, which means earthenware pot or pitcher. A written record of the word crock dates back to 1000 AD. It might have been the common Anglo-Saxon term for pot before 1066 AD.

Pronunciation
:Rhymes: Rhymes:English:-�k|-�k

Noun
en-noun

1. A stoneware or earthenware jar or storage container.
2. A piece of broken pottery, a shard.
3. UK|AU A person who is physically limited by age or injury. Old crocks home = home for the aged
4. UK An old or broken-down vehicle (and formerly a horse). Old crocks race = veteran car rally
5. slang Silly talk, a foolish belief, a poor excuse. (short for crock of shit.)

Verb
en-verb

1. To break something or injure someone.

#*1904, P.G. Wodehouse, w:The Gold Bat|The Gold Bat ¹:
#:"That last time I brought down Barry I crocked him. He's in his study now with a sprained ankle. ..."
#*2007 January 3, Daily Mirror:
#: Thousands of cars crocked by dodgy fuel
#*2006 April 30, The Sunday Times:
#: Ferreira ... peremptorily expunges England�s World Cup chances by crocking Wayne Rooney.

1. textiles|leatherworking To transfer coloring through abrasion from one item to another.

#*1917, John H. Pfingsten, "Colouring-matter for leather and method of using the same" ², US Patent 1371572, page 1:
#:thus producing a permanent, definite color thereon which will not fade or crock, and at the same time using up all of the coloring matter.
#*1964, Isabel Barnum Wingate, Know Your Merchandise ³, page 109:
#:Colored fabrics should be dried separately for the first few times to prevent crocking (rubbing off of dye).
#*2002, Sandy Scrivano, Sewing With Leather & Suede ⁴, ISBN 1579902731, page 95:
#:In leather garments, lining also prevents crocking of color onto skin or garments worn underneath.

1. horticulture To cover the drain holes of a planter with stones or similar material, in order to ensure proper drainage.

#*1900, H.A. Burberry, The Amateur Orchid Cultivators' Guide Book ⁵, page 21:
#:The pots should be crocked for drainage to one-half their depth and the plants made moderately firm in the compost, as already indicated...

Derived terms
crocker
crockery
crockpot
crock of shit

References
Krueger, Dennis (December 1982). "Why On Earth Do They Call It Throwing?" Studio Potter Vol. 11, Number 1.⁶ (etymology)

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• 2007-10-20 14:00 - Chemical Engineer - /* Verb */ crocking in leather trade specifically refers to transfer from one item to another, see standard ASTM D5053-03e1

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