Is 'flak' English, or is it actually German?

'Flak' is a word borrowed from German 'flak'. The word entered the English language some time around 1938.

flak [noun] [1938]

• antiaircraft guns
• the bursting shells fired from flak
• criticism

Meaning: antiaircraft guns; the bursting shells fired from flak; criticism opposition.

Etymology: German; from Fl ieger a bwehr k anonen; from Flieger flyer + Abwehr defense + Kanonen cannons.

Topics: Military:Weapons.

Origin: From German to English.

See 'flak' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from German.

See more loan words from 1930s.