“Catching Flack”
When you hear of someone say, “catching flack,” you’re hearing a figurative extension of a term used for antiaircraft guns, or for the shells fired from them.
That term, more commonly spelled flak, is short for Fliegerabwehrkanonen, from the German words for “flyer,” “defense,” and “cannons.”
“If you’re not catching flak, you’re not over the target” (or “If you’re catching flak, you’re probably over the target”) was a military phrase.
The political use of “flak” (a barrage of criticism) began by at least 1968, when the New York (NY) Times reported “flak” involving New York City Mayor John Lindsay.
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Are You Catching Flack Dropping Truth Bombs?
Good!
That’s Means You’re On Target!
