Krang

/kræŋ/ noun

Definition

A framework or structure, particularly one made of metal; also a proper name for a fictional villain.

Etymology

From Old Norse 'krankr' (weak or feeble) or possibly Dutch 'krank'. The term has nautical origins referring to ship structures. In modern pop culture, 'Krang' is primarily known as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles villain created in the 1990s.

Kelly Says

Most people today know 'Krang' only from the TMNT franchise, but it's actually an old nautical term that ships' carpenters used. Language is constantly being recycled—words lose their original meaning and get reborn as pop culture references, which then dominate how new generations understand them.

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