Cripple
Encyclopedia
A cripple is a person or animal with a physical disability
, particularly one who is unable to walk because of an injury or illness. The word was recorded as early as 950 AD, and derives from the Proto-Germanic krupilaz. The German
and Dutch
words Krüppel and kreupel are cognate
s.
The word generally came to be regarded as pejorative
when used for people, in the United States
, the United Kingdom
and Canada
during the 1960s. Of late, In other English-speaking countries, the term is still widely used without pejorative connotations. Cripple is also a transitive verb, meaning "cause a disability or inability".
Cripple may also refer to:
Physical disability
A physical disability is any impairment which limits the physical function of one or more limbs or fine or gross motor ability. Other physical disabilities include impairments which limit other facets of daily living, such as respiratory disorders and epilepsy....
, particularly one who is unable to walk because of an injury or illness. The word was recorded as early as 950 AD, and derives from the Proto-Germanic krupilaz. The German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
and Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
words Krüppel and kreupel are cognate
Cognate
In linguistics, cognates are words that have a common etymological origin. This learned term derives from the Latin cognatus . Cognates within the same language are called doublets. Strictly speaking, loanwords from another language are usually not meant by the term, e.g...
s.
The word generally came to be regarded as pejorative
Pejorative
Pejoratives , including name slurs, are words or grammatical forms that connote negativity and express contempt or distaste. A term can be regarded as pejorative in some social groups but not in others, e.g., hacker is a term used for computer criminals as well as quick and clever computer experts...
when used for people, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
during the 1960s. Of late, In other English-speaking countries, the term is still widely used without pejorative connotations. Cripple is also a transitive verb, meaning "cause a disability or inability".
Cripple may also refer to:
Mass media
- Cripple CrowCripple CrowCripple Crow was released on XL Recordings on September 13, 2005. It is the fifth album by psych folk acoustic rocker Devendra Banhart and his first for the label XL Recordings. The cover is reminiscent of the Sgt...
, a 2005 album by Devendra Banhart - "Cripple FightCripple Fight"Cripple Fight" is the second episode of the fifth season of the animated television series South Park, and 67th episode of the series overall...
", a 2001 episode of South Park - Crippled LuciferCrippled Lucifer- 2008 reissue :...
, a 1998 album by Burning Witch - The Crippled MastersThe Crippled MastersThe Crippled Masters is a kung fu movie released in 1979. Filmed in Hong Kong, it is about two men—one without arms and another with withered legs—who develop kung fu abilities and fight their evil teacher, who made them disabled.-Synopsis:The movie starts out with Lee Ho getting both...
, a 1979 kung-fu film - Cripple Need Cane, a rock band from Los Angeles
- The Cripple of InishmaanThe Cripple of InishmaanThe Cripple of Inishmaan is a dark comedy by Martin McDonagh who links the story to the real life filming of the documentary Man of Aran....
, a 1997 Irish play - Hooky the CrippleHooky the CrippleHooky the Cripple is a 2002 novel written by Mark Brandon 'Chopper' Read, illustrated by Adam Cullen published by Pluto Press.- External links :*Sunday Sunrise transcript, interview with Read and Cullen....
, a 2002 novel by Chopper Read - Cripple Clarence LoftonCripple Clarence LoftonCripple Clarence Lofton , born Albert Clemens in Kingsport, Tennessee, was a noted boogie-woogie pianist and singer....
(1887–1957), blues artist
- "Crippled InsideCrippled Inside"Crippled Inside" is a song written and performed by John Lennon from his 1971 album Imagine.The song combines the bleak lyrical content of Lennon's prior solo recording, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, with the more upbeat musical arrangements typical to the rest of Imagine...
", a 1971 song by John Lennon (Imagine Album)
Criminal organizations
- CripsCripsThe Crips are a primarily, but not exclusively, African American gang. They were founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969 mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams...
street gang were so named by their early carrying of a cane which gave the impression they were crippled.
Building construction
- A cripple is a Trimmer studWall studA wall stud is a vertical member in the light frame construction techniques called balloon framing and platform framing of a building's wall.-Purpose:...
or joistJoistA joist, in architecture and engineering, is one of the horizontal supporting members that run from wall to wall, wall to beam, or beam to beam to support a ceiling, roof, or floor. It may be made of wood, steel, or concrete. Typically, a beam is bigger than, and is thus distinguished from, a joist...
which is shorter than full-length
Railway jargon
- A cripple is a goods wagon or a passenger coach which although safe to run on the railway, is not fit for use and requires a repair before it can be used in service. This could be a coal wagon with a hole in the floor (which would allow coal to fall out of the wagon), or a passenger coach with a broken window.