Crick

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "crick" is the dialect form of "creek," meaning a small stream of water. It’s also used to describe a kink or stiffness in the neck.

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synonyms: stream, brook, branch, kink, stiffness

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We never used 'crick' for 'creek' growin' up, but it's always been 'crick in my neck' - I've never heard it called anything else.

Pronunciation

[KRICK] /krɪk/

Meaning & Usage

- Creek, small stream of water (noun)

Hazel:

Let’s head down by the crick and see if the fish are bitin’.

Earl:

Watch your step on them slick rocks.

- A kink or stiffness (usually in the neck) (noun)

Hazel:

Why’re you holdin’ your neck like that?

Earl:

Slept funny last night - got a crick in my neck.

variations: creek (standard spelling), crik

★ "Crick" can mean two different things: the Southern/Appalachian way of saying "creek," and the old-time phrase "a crick in my neck." Both come from the same rural speech patterns. ★

Origin

The word "crick" goes back to rural English dialects and was carried into the Southern mountains by early settlers. In the U.S., it has been documented since at least the 18th century for "creek," and by the 19th century for "a crick in the neck." Both senses remain tied to Southern and rural American speech.

Notes

In Appalachia and the South, "crick" is the everyday way many folks say "creek."
"Crick in my neck" is common in rural and Southern speech, less so in urban areas.
Though used outside the South, "crick" always carries a rustic, country flavor.

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Common Questions

What does "crick" mean?

It can mean a small stream of water (creek) or a kink/stiffness in the neck.

Is "crick" Southern?

Yes. It’s strongly associated with Southern and Appalachian speech, though some rural Northern and Midwestern communities use it too.

What’s the difference between "creek" and "crick"?

"Creek" is the standard spelling; "crick" is the dialect form. They mean the same thing when talking about water.

Do people outside the South say "crick in my neck"?

Sometimes in rural areas, yes. But in cities like Manhattan or Orlando, folks are more likely to say "kink in my neck."

Is "crick" still used today?

Yes. It’s still common in Appalachian and Southern communities, though many younger speakers may use "creek" instead.