hack

Where “hack” sits in English frequency

Definition

1. 1
   To chop or cut down in a rough manner.
2. 2
   To withstand or put up with a difficult situation.
3. 3
   To make a quick code change to patch a computer program, often one that, while being effective, is inelegant or makes the program harder to maintain.
4. 4
   To accomplish a difficult programming task.
5. 5
   To work with something on an intimately technical level.
6. 6
   To apply a trick, shortcut, skill, or novel method to something to increase productivity, efficiency or ease.
7. 7
   To hack into; to gain unauthorized access to (a computer system, e.g., a website, or network) by manipulating code.
8. 8
   To gain unauthorized access to a computer or online account belonging to (a person or organisation).
9. 9
   To cheat by using unauthorized modifications.
10. 10
    To strike an opponent with one's hockey stick, typically on the leg but occasionally and more seriously on the back, arm, head, etc.
11. 11
    To make a flailing attempt to hit the puck with a hockey stick.
12. 12
    To swing at a pitched ball.
13. 13
    To kick (a player) on the shins.
14. 14
    To strike in a frantic movement.
15. 15
    To strike lightly as part of tapotement massage.

Etymology

From Middle English hacken, hakken, from Old English *haccian (“to hack”), from Proto-West Germanic *hakkōn, from Proto-Germanic *hakkōną (“to chop; hoe; hew”), from Proto-Indo-European *keg-, *keng- (“to be sharp; peg; hook; handle”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian häkje (“to hack”), West Frisian hakje (“to hack”), Dutch hakken (“to chop up; hack”), German hacken (“to chop; hack; hoe”), Danish hakke (“to chop”), Swedish hacka (“to hack; chop”), French hacher (“to chop”). The computer senses date back to at least 1955 when it initially referred to creative problem solving. By 1963, the negative connotations of “black hat” or malicious hacking had become associated with telephone hacking (cf. phreaking).

This word in other languages

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ahck,hacck,hackk,hakc,hcak,hhack

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of hack - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

Frequently Asked Questions