Flack and Flak Are Two Different Words
A flack is a publicist, in American slang. Flak with one c is anti-aircraft fire, and the two are constantly confused.
A flack is a press agent or publicist, in American slang, usually said with a sneer. It is a different word from *flak*, which is anti-aircraft fire — and *flak* is one of the great compressed borrowings, an abbreviation of the German *Fliegerabwehrkanone*, aircraft-defence cannon. Taking flak means being shot at, figuratively. Because the two sound alike, *taking flack* is a common misspelling.
- A publicist (American slang). *A corporate flack.*
- Flak — anti-aircraft fire. *Heavy flak.*
- Take flak — receive criticism. *He took a lot of flak.*
- Flak jacket — body armour. *A flak jacket.*
- German — *Fliegerabwehrkanone*. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | flack | A flack. |
| Plural | flacks | Two flacks. |
| Different word | flak | Heavy flak. |
| Compound | flak jacket | A flak jacket. |
| German | Flak | The abbreviation. |
- The company flack issued a statement.American, dismissive.
- The bomber flew through heavy flak.Military.
- She took flak for the decision.Criticism.
Compressed German borrowings
- Flak — *Fliegerabwehrkanone*, aircraft-defence cannon
- Gestapo — *Geheime Staatspolizei*, secret state police
- Nazi — from the first syllables of *Nationalsozialist*
- Kripo — *Kriminalpolizei*, criminal police
- All are syllable abbreviations, a common German pattern
*Flack* for a press agent is American slang from the 1930s, of uncertain origin. *Flak* is a 1938 borrowing of a German abbreviation.
Is it taking flak or taking flack?
Flak, with one c. It comes from anti-aircraft fire. Flack is a separate word for a publicist.
What does Flak stand for?
Fliegerabwehrkanone, German for aircraft-defence cannon, shortened to its first syllables.