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Crank
An Abram man (q.v.). So called from the German krank
(sickly), whence cranky, “idiotic, foolish, full of whims,” and
cranks (simulated sickness). These beggars were called cranks
because they pretended madness and sickness to excite compassion.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Crank from Infoplease:
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