knack

Meanings

Noun

• A readiness in performance; aptness at doing something.
• A petty contrivance; a toy.
• Something performed, or to be done, requiring aptness and dexterity.

Verb

• To crack; to make a sharp, abrupt noise; to chink.
• To speak affectedly.

Origin

• Use as "special skill" from 1580. Possibly from 14th century Middle English krak ("a sharp blow"), knakke, knakken, from Middle Low German, by onomatopoeia. Latter cognate to German knacken ("to crack"). See also crack.