crickets

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA(key): /ˈkɹɪk.ɪts/; enPR: krĭkˈ .ĭts Rhymes: -ɪkɪts Hyphenation: crick‧ets === Etymology 1 === Sense 2 is derived from the cinematic metaphor of chirping crickets at night, signaling (otherwise) complete quiet. ==== Noun ==== crickets plural of cricket. (often singular, US, Canada, figurative, slang, humorous) Used alone or in metaphorically descriptive phrases: absolute silence where meaningful sound is expected; lack of response; no communication. to hear crickets ==== See also ==== stridulation === Etymology 2 === See Jiminy Cricket. ==== Interjection ==== crickets Expressing mild annoyance or surprise. 1902, George Ade, “The Fable of the Long-range Lover, the Lollypaloozer, and the Line of Talk”, in The Girl Proposition. A Bunch of He and She Fables, New York, N.Y.: R. H. Russell, OCLC 776243245; republished Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Literature House, 1969, OCLC 695700303, page 9: "Oh Crickets! I seen you at the The-ayter one Night," she said. "I was there with Ollie Pozozzle of Minneapolis. Me and him come out just behind you. […]" ===== Derived terms ===== == Swedish == === Noun === crickets indefinite genitive singular of cricket