sb., v., adv. [Onomatopœic reduplication of CRACK. Cf. F. cric crac, and Du. krikkrakken to crackle.] A representation of a repeated sharp sound. (In quot. 1600 perh. = CRACKER 6.)
1565–73. Cooper, Thesaurus, s.v. Crispans, Crepitus crispans, a sowne or noyse goying by stoppes; as, cricke, cracke, crocke: ticke, tacke, &c.
1600. Maides Metam., II. in Bullen, O. Pl., I. 126. They come of crick-cracks, and shake their tayles like a squib.
1856. Dobell, Eng. in Time of War, ‘Lady Constance.’ Hear his pistol cric-crac! Hear his rifle ping-pang!
1870. Miss Bridgman, Ro. Lynne, II. viii. 166. Her dress caught in a twig, and crick-crack went ‘the abominable thing.’
So † Crick-crackle v., to emit a series of sharp crackling sounds.
a. 1618. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. IV. IV. Decay, 635. A fire in stubble, Which, sodain spreading … Crick-crackling quickly all the Country wastes.
