Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find "crack on" with anything to be a really rude expression

69 replies

wildfellhall · 22/10/2024 10:51

I think it's ok if I want to use it about myself "I'm going to crack on with the feedback forms, laundry" in whatever context, but when my husband says it or my former manager said it, I find it/found it really patronizing.

I don't think people use this word when speaking to a person they respect - that's my main point.

OP posts:
GreatNorthBun · 22/10/2024 12:53

No, it's a really normal thing to say.

Of course it can be said rudely but so can anything. I love you can be said rudely and unkindly.

AuntieJoyce · 22/10/2024 12:51

My ex told me to crack on whilst I was in labour Grin

JennaRink · 22/10/2024 12:50

I agree OP. A client said this to me last year and I found it very rude. He is rude in general.

FeedingThem · 22/10/2024 12:47

ThisReplyHasBeenDeleted · 22/10/2024 11:01

I always understood the phrase 'crack on' to have come from the days when stagecoach drivers were instructed to 'crack on' - ie, crack the whip - to get the horses to move faster. In other words, 'get a move on'. Nothing rude about it at all.

Arguably,telling your wife to get a move on with doing chores etc IS rude.

Dotjones · 22/10/2024 12:42

It all depends on the context and how it is said. The same word or phrase can be harmless and innocent or really nasty and abusive when used in a different way.

TeenLifeMum · 22/10/2024 12:24

Context and tone are everything. At the end of a meeting I might say to the team “I’ll let you crack on” and I don’t think that would be offensive.

ChequerToRed · 22/10/2024 12:23

Context is everything.

Ambleen · 22/10/2024 12:16

It's fine if not said with attitude. My husband will say 'no, you crack on' if I'm asking whether he still needs something I want the use of eg the bathroom or a tool or to let me go ahead of him in multiple scenarios.

CurlewKate · 22/10/2024 12:06

I would HATE it if my partner told me to "crack on" with something! Fine if I said it about myself "I must..." or he said "Let's...."

SlothOnARope · 22/10/2024 12:04

No I don't think it's rude in itself, but I tend to use it only to people I dislike/who are riling me by doing something stupid or deliberately annoying me "Well crack on then", or when I'm feeling resentful, bored or angry about a situation as in "I'd better crack on" which in my head means Fucking hell will this day never end.

TheGreatMuldeeni · 22/10/2024 12:00

I suppose it could be if it was said with a certain attitude, but generally no.

Getitwright · 22/10/2024 11:58

It’s simply a British English informal phrase that means to get something done quickly….as in “shall we crack on with this gardening and try and get it finished”

Putting in swear words, or addressing someone aggressively might change the context, but then the same could be said for lots of phrases. The clever bit is understanding the context as well as the words.

There are lots of everyday words such as “ crack” that some take pseudo offence at, without really thinking beyond the actual word.

FeralNun · 22/10/2024 11:53

I always think of Dawn French as the Vicar of Dibley, hopelessly drunk, attempting to take a service and shouting ‘crack on!’ before collapsing 😂
But no - it’s not rude unless tone or context suggest so..

KrisAkabusi · 22/10/2024 11:47

No, can't see it as rude at all.

nanodyne · 22/10/2024 11:33

It can come across as a bit dismissive, depends on how it's being said and in response to what.

LakieLady · 22/10/2024 11:33

I don't find it rude at all. To my mind, it's just another way of saying "get on with X, Y or Z".

Fizzadora · 22/10/2024 11:30

It can possibly perceived as a bit rude because it usually means " stop fannying about and get on with it then".

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 22/10/2024 11:26

Depends. I think it's all in the tone of voice and whether what they're actually saying is 'get on with it, now, I think you're pissing about' or 'please can you do this thing next'

User19876536484 · 22/10/2024 11:26

I wouldn’t give it a second thought.

I don't think people use this word when speaking to a person they respect - that's my main point

I do.

HollyKnight · 22/10/2024 11:21

What do you think it means?

To me, it just means carry on.

CautiousLurker1 · 22/10/2024 11:21

The origin of the word is from ‘cracking the whip’ to get horses to start moving when pulling a cart. It literally means ‘to get started’ on or ‘to continue on’ a task.

There’s nothing offensive about it when used by others as the implication is not that they are ‘cracking the whip’ on you to start, they are simply saying ‘get started’ or ‘carry on’ - though, of course, you might reasonably feel peeved at being instructed to do either of these things in some circumstances. Or not.

GretchenWienersHair · 22/10/2024 11:14

Is it being said in a way similar to “get on with it then”? If so, yes it would piss me off too.

itwasnevermine · 22/10/2024 11:14

I think it's fine. I mainly hear it in terms of someone saying they'll do something and the person they're telling saying "crack on then", as in stop saying you'll do it and do it!

DogInATent · 22/10/2024 11:13

Depends how it's used. If you're an Announcer then it's probably out of frustration.

"I will now fill out the form"
"Crack on luv"

ByMerryKoala · 22/10/2024 11:12

Crack on is fine. Obviously it's fairly informal but it doesn't have any weird or power based connotations.