What Is the Origin of Ratchet?Īccording to The Free Dictionary, the word ratchet is French in origin. The word ratchet can also refer to the pieces of this mechanism.įinally, ratchet can mean to increase in intensity. Therefore, it only allows motion in one direction. A mechanism consisting of a pawl comes into contact with the sloping teeth of a toothed wheel or a bar. Ratchet also refers to a type of mechanical device.

Calling people ratchet does not always have positive connotations, and this former hip-hop slang can still be taken as an insult or considered appropriative. While it has been reclaimed in recent years, it has often been used as a derogatory term for many Black women and other women of color. The pronunciation of ratchet is ˈrætʃɪt, and ratchet is two syllables – ratch-et. This is a reclamation of the word, which can also be used as an insult meaning trashy or promiscuous. What Does the Word Ratchet Mean?Īccording to Dictionary, the word ratchet is a slang term that means excellent or exciting. This article will cover how to use the word ratchet in its various contexts, the origin of the word ratchet, synonyms and antonyms, example sentences containing the word ratchet, and translations of ratchet. The word ratchet has two distinct meanings as a slang term and a formal term.

Ratchet urban dictionary antonym