der Knacker
nutcracker
A tool, usually a pair of pliers or tongs, used to crack open the hard shell of nuts.
EXAMPLE
Gib mir bitte den Knacker, ich bekomme diese Walnuss nicht auf.
Please give me the nutcracker; I can't get this walnut open.
der Knacker
nutcracker / knackwurst / safecracker
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Meanings
der Knacker
knackwurst sausage
A particular type of sausage that makes a cracking sound when you bite into it.
EXAMPLE
Zum Abendbrot gab es frisches Brot und ein Paar heiße Knacker.
For supper there was fresh bread and a pair of hot knackwurst sausages.
der Knacker
old geezer
A colloquial, often slightly derogatory or joking term for an old man.
EXAMPLE
Der alte Knacker von nebenan beschwert sich immer über den Lärm.
The old geezer next door is always complaining about the noise.
der Knacker
safecracker
A person who forcibly opens or breaks into something, especially a burglar who cracks a safe.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei sucht einen erfahrenen Knacker, der für mehrere Einbrüche verantwortlich ist.
The police are looking for an experienced safecracker who is responsible for several break-ins.
Usage tips
Word structure
All meanings of 'Knacker' derive from the verb 'knacken' (to crack). The ending '-er' refers either to a tool ('Nussknacker' = nutcracker), a person ('Safeknacker' = safecracker), or something that makes a cracking sound (sausage).
EXAMPLE
Hörst du, wie die Wurst beim Braten knackt?
Do you hear how the sausage cracks as it fries?
Register and style
The term 'Knacker' (old geezer) for an old man is very colloquial and can sound derogatory or disrespectful. It is often used in the combination 'alter Knacker' (old geezer).
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, was du sagst, der alte Knacker versteht mehr, als du denkst.
Watch what you say; the old geezer understands more than you think.
Context clue
When 'Knacker' appears in the context of 'Nüssen' (nuts), 'Schalen' (shells), or as a 'Werkzeug' (tool) or 'Zange' (pliers/tongs), it always means a nutcracker.
EXAMPLE
Ohne einen guten Knacker bekommt man die Macadamianüsse kaum auf.
Without a good nutcracker, it's almost impossible to open macadamia nuts.
Context clue
In the context of food, butcher shops, 'ein Paar' (a pair), or meals such as supper, 'Knacker' refers to the type of sausage.
EXAMPLE
Beim Metzger kaufe ich immer ein Paar frische Knacker.
At the butcher's, I always buy a pair of fresh knackwurst sausages.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'Einbrecher' (burglar), the word is often made more specific, for example as 'Safeknacker' (safecracker) or 'Tresorknacker' (safecracker).
EXAMPLE
Der berühmte Safeknacker konnte jedes Schloss öffnen.
The famous safecracker could open any lock.
Compare with
Knacker vs Einbrecher
burglar
An Einbrecher enters a building in order to steal. A Knacker is an informal term for someone who forcibly opens something, especially a safe. For the same crime, Einbrecher highlights the unauthorized entry, while Knacker emphasizes breaking something open.
Knacker
Der Knacker öffnete nachts den Safe der Bank mit Gewalt.
The safecracker forcibly opened the bank's safe at night.
Einbrecher
Der Einbrecher drang nachts in die Bank ein, um Geld zu stehlen.
The burglar broke into the bank at night to steal money.
In real life
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