Knacker

Pronunciation

• enPR: năkÉ™(r), IPA: /ˈnæk.É™(ɹ)/
• Rhymes: -ækÉ™(r)

Origin

From Old Norse hnak ("saddle"), hur ("horse") − the profession of saddlemaker.

Full definition of knacker

Noun

1. One who makes knickknacks, toys, etc.
2. One of two or more pieces of bone or wood held loosely between the fingers, and struck together by moving the hand; a clapper.
3. A harness maker.
4. One who slaughters and (especially) renders worn-out livestock (especially horses) and sells their flesh, bones and hides.
• 1933, George Orwell, Down and Out in Paris and London, Ch. XXII, Harvest
  Harcourt paperback edition, pg. 117-118,After a few years even the whip loses its virtue, and the pony goes to the knacker
5. One who dismantles old ships, houses etc., and sells their components.
6. (Ireland, British, offensive) A member of the Travelling Community; a Gypsy.
7. (Ireland, offensive, slang) A person of lower social class; a chav, skanger or scobe.

Derived terms

• knacker's yard

Verb

1. To tire out, become exhausted.Carrying that giant statue up those stairs knackered me out