knack

knack · noun, verb¹

1. Middle English · inherited fromkrak
2. English todayknack

Late Middle English, use as "special skill" from 1580. Possibly from 14th century Middle English krak, knack (“a sharp sound or blow”), knakke, knakken, from Middle Low German and of imitative origin, similar to Dutch knak (“snap, crack”). Latter cognate to German knacken (“to crack”). See also crack.

Knack · proper noun²

1. Bavarian · derived fromgenack“neck”
2. English todayKnack

German surname, variant of Knaack. Also as a German surname, from Bavarian genack (“neck”); see German Genick (“nape of the neck”), English neck.

First known use, by meaning

• from 1580 A readiness in performance; aptness at doing something.
• from mid 14th c. Something performed, or to be done, requiring aptness and dexterity.