Come A Cropper: Meaning and Origins
“Come a cropper” is an idiom meaning to fail unexpectedly and often ignominiously, or to fall heavily. It suggests a sudden and complete reversal of fortune, particularly after attempting something ambitious. The phrase carries a sense of clumsiness or a lack of grace in failure—not simply failing, but failing in a spectacular, noticeable way. It can describe a physical fall, but is more commonly used to denote the failure of a plan, project, or endeavor.
Origin of “Come A Cropper”
The origins of “come a cropper” are surprisingly specific and well documented. It emerged in the 19th century, rooted in the world of printing presses. A “cropper” was a worker whose job was to examine newly printed sheets for imperfections. These presses, powered by horses or steam engines, were dangerous machines. It was common for the horses powering the presses to stumble or fall, throwing the worker – the “cropper” – heavily to the ground. Thus, to “come a cropper” literally meant to be thrown from the printing press and suffer a fall.
While the direct link to the printing press is accepted, the phrase didn’t immediately gain widespread use. It first appeared in various forms, like “get a cropper” or simply “cropper.” John Hotten, in his 1859 dictionary, Modern Slang, Cant and Vulgar Words, provided a detailed explanation of the term, solidifying its meaning and spelling as “to come a cropper.” This cemented the idiom’s place in the English lexicon, extending its application beyond the printing press to any situation involving a sudden and embarrassing failure.
Analysis of “Come A Cropper” in Literature
The enduring appeal of “come a cropper” lies in its vivid imagery and its ability to encapsulate the often humorous, sometimes tragic, nature of failure. Its use in literature isn’t merely descriptive; it adds a layer of cultural understanding and allows writers to connect with a shared history of language. The phrase often implies a degree of irony, a situation where someone believes they are on the path to success, only to be abruptly brought down. This irony makes it particularly effective in satirical or comedic writing.
Example #1: Germinal by Émile Zola
You would need thousands and thousands of years even if it ever did come to pass. So you could stop pestering him with your miracles! The most sensible thing to do, if you did not want to come a cropper, was to behave yourself, make realistic claims, in fact, improve the workers’ conditions at every possible opportunity. That’s what he would do, if he was in charge, he’d make the Company improve conditions.
In Zola’s Germinal, the phrase is used as a pragmatic warning. A character cautions another against unrealistic idealism, suggesting that pursuing unattainable goals will inevitably lead to failure, coming a cropper. Here, it’s less about a dramatic fall and more about avoiding a predictable outcome through sensible action. The phrase imparts a sense of world-weariness and a harsh realism to the dialogue.
Example #2: The Wolfpen Notebooks: A Record of Appalachian Life by James Still
All that you can know and are and can be comes together and is concentrated on a single point, like a glass drawing fire from the sun. For all the honor heaped upon its name, poetry comes a cropper in the market. Do you know anybody who has bought a book of current poetry this year? When Ezra Pound challenged a fellow poet to a duel, his adversary suggested that they stand at twenty paces and fire their unsold volumes of verse at each other.
James Still uses “come a cropper” to highlight the frustrating reality faced by poets—the disconnect between artistic merit and commercial success. The phrase isn’t about a personal failure of skill, but rather the systemic failure of the market to recognize poetic value. The darkly humorous anecdote about the poetic duel underscores this point and emphasizes the absurdity of the situation. It’s a witty observation on the struggles of artists.
Example #3: Difficult to Do by Wilhelmina Stitch
It isn’t easy to admit you’re wrong;
To swallow insult and to face a sneer;
It isn’t easy to sing loud and long
When you are in the clutch of deadly fear.It isn’t easy, friend to try again
When you have come a cropper, but it’s best.
To scorn a failure and to laugh at pain
Is but to prove that you have stood life’s test.
In this poem, “come a cropper” is presented not as a definitive end, but as a temporary setback. The author encourages resilience, suggesting that acknowledging and overcoming failure is essential for personal growth. The phrase is woven into a broader message of courage and determination, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes rather than being defeated by them.
Beyond Literature: Nuances and Usage
While “come a cropper” often denotes a complete failure, it can also imply a clumsy or undignified attempt. It’s rarely used to describe minor setbacks; the phrase carries a weight suggesting significant consequences. It also has a distinctly British flavor, though it is understood and used in other English-speaking countries.
Here are some examples of contemporary usage:
- “Despite his meticulous planning, the project came a cropper due to unforeseen circumstances.”
- “She tried to impress him with her cooking, but it came a cropper when she accidentally added salt instead of sugar.”
- “The politician’s campaign came a cropper when a damaging scandal was revealed.”
The enduring power of “come a cropper” lies in its evocative imagery and its ability to succinctly capture the often painful, sometimes comical, experience of failure. Its historical roots in the dangerous world of 19th-century printing presses add depth and richness to its meaning, making it a vibrant and memorable idiom in the English language.