Crab vs. Crap: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on October 25, 2023
"Crab" refers to a marine crustacean, while "Crap" is slang for nonsense or waste.
Key Differences
"Crab" is a term that denotes a type of marine creature known for its hard shell, sideways movement, and two large claws. They are found in oceans worldwide and are popular in culinary dishes for their meat. On the contrary, "Crap" is a colloquial term that can mean nonsense, rubbish, or waste. While "Crab" conjures images of beaches and seafood dishes, "Crap" might bring to mind something undesirable or of low quality.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Interestingly, "Crab" and "Crap" are just a letter apart, but they have entirely different meanings and usages. "Crab" can also be used in a verb form, referring to the action of criticizing or being disagreeable. Meanwhile, "Crap" is often used informally to express disappointment or frustration. For instance, one might say, "Don't give me that crap" when confronted with unbelievable information.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
While "Crab" has a rich biological and culinary background, "Crap" has its roots in slang. The word "Crap" is sometimes considered vulgar, especially when referring to excrement, and might not be suitable for all audiences or formal situations. "Crab", apart from its primary meaning, also finds its way into idioms like "crabbing about," which means complaining or being difficult.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
It's essential to recognize the difference between "Crab" and "Crap" in both written and spoken English, especially given their stark contrast in meaning. Using one in place of the other can lead to significant misunderstandings. While "Crab" generally evokes images of a delicacy or the animal itself, "Crap" is used in casual language, often indicating disappointment or disbelief.
Harlon Moss
Oct 25, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Associated Connotations
Seafood, animal, delicacy
Rubbish, disappointment, disbelief
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Idiomatic Usage
"Crabbing about" (complaining)
"Full of crap" (talking nonsense)
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Crab and Crap Definitions
Crab
The flesh of this crustacean, used as food.
I love the taste of crab in seafood pasta.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
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Crab
A machine for hoisting or hauling, having a drum around which a rope is wound.
The workers used a crab to lift the heavy machinery.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Crap
Worthless or false talk or ideas.
I don't believe him; it sounds like crap.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Crab
Any of various chiefly marine decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, having a hard carapace that covers a broad flattened cephalothorax with a small abdomen tucked beneath it, and an anterior pair of legs that are large and pincerlike.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
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Crab
Any of various similar decapod crustaceans, such as a hermit crab or a king crab.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
The maneuvering of an aircraft partially into a crosswind to compensate for drift.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crap
Used for intensive effect in idioms such as beat the crap out of (someone) for beat (someone) very badly.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crap
Something worthless or of poor quality; junk.
The long-running game show went from offering good prizes to crap in no time.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crap
Nonsense; something untrue.
The college student boasted of completing a 10,000-word essay on Shakespeare, but that claim was utter crap.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crap
To defecate in or on (clothing etc.).
He almost crapped his pants from fright.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
A crustacean of the infraorder Brachyura, having five pairs of legs, the foremost of which are in the form of claws, and a carapace.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crap
Of poor quality.
I drove an old crap car for ten years before buying a new one.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crap
(slang) Expression of worry, fear, shock, surprise, disgust, annoyance, or dismay.
Oh crap! The other driver's going to hit my car!
Crap! I lost the game.
What the crap?!
Aw, crap, I have to start over again from the beginning of the level.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
An infestation of pubic lice (Pthirus pubis).
Although crabs themselves are an easily treated inconvenience, the patient and his partner(s) clearly run major STD risks.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crap
In the game of craps, a first throw of the dice in which the total is two, three, or twelve, in which case the caster loses. Also called craps.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
The angle by which an aircraft's nose is pointed upwind of its groundtrack to compensate for crosswinds during an approach to landing; its crab angle.
The pilot had to hold fifteen degrees of crab during the approach to keep her plane from getting blown off the localizer course.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
The state of an aircraft's nose being pointed upwind of its groundtrack to compensate for crosswinds during an approach to landing.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
(rowing) A position in rowing where the oar is pushed under the rigger by the force of the water.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
A defect in an outwardly normal object that may render it inconvenient and troublesome to use.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crap
Obscene words for unacceptable behavior;
I put up with a lot of bullshit from that jerk
What he said was mostly bull
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
The tree bearing crab apples, which has a dogbane-like bitter bark with medical use.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
A movable winch or windlass with powerful gearing, used with derricks, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
A form of windlass, or geared capstan, for hauling ships into dock, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
(intransitive) To drift or move sideways or to leeward by analogy with the movement of a crab.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
To navigate (an aircraft, e.g. a glider) sideways against an air current in order to maintain a straight-line course.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
, to fly slightly off the straight-line course towards an enemy aircraft, as the machine guns on early aircraft did not allow firing through the propeller disk.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
One of the brachyuran Crustacea. They are mostly marine, and usually have a broad, short body, covered with a strong shell or carapace. The abdomen is small and curled up beneath the body.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
A crab apple; - so named from its harsh taste.
When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl,Then nightly sings the staring owl.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
A movable winch or windlass with powerful gearing, used with derricks, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
Decapod having eyes on short stalks and a broad flattened carapace with a small abdomen folded under the thorax and pincers
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
The fourth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about June 21 to July 22
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
A stroke of the oar that either misses the water or digs too deeply;
He caught a crab and lost the race
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Crab
A marine crustacean with a broad carapace, stalked eyes, and five pairs of legs.
We caught a large crab at the beach today.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Crab
To complain or grumble about something.
She's always crabbing about her job.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Crab
To move sideways.
The soldier began to crab to his left to avoid detection.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
FAQs
Can I use "Crap" in professional settings?
It's best to avoid using "Crap" in formal or professional situations due to its informal and sometimes vulgar connotations.
Janet White
Oct 25, 2023
Can "Crab" refer to something other than the marine creature?
Yes, "Crab" can also mean to complain or grumble about something.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Is "Crab" primarily a noun or a verb?
"Crab" is primarily a noun, but can also be a verb meaning to complain or move sideways.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
What does "Crap" generally imply in conversations?
"Crap" usually refers to something of poor quality or rubbish and can also be an exclamation of disappointment.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Is "Crap" considered a polite term?
"Crap" is informal and sometimes considered vulgar, especially when referring to excrement.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Is "Crap" always negative in context?
Mostly, as it refers to rubbish or disappointment, but its negativity can vary based on context and intent.
Harlon Moss
Oct 25, 2023
Why might someone say "Don't give me that crap"?
It's an informal way of expressing disbelief or indicating that they think someone is lying or talking nonsense.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Do "Crab" and "Crap" have similar origins or etymologies?
No, they have distinct etymologies, with "Crab" coming from Old English related to the creature, and "Crap" having uncertain origins, possibly Middle Dutch.
Janet White
Oct 25, 2023
Are there any dishes named after "Crab"?
Yes, dishes like crab cakes, crab bisque, and crab rangoon feature the crustacean as a primary ingredient.
Harlon Moss
Oct 25, 2023
How can I differentiate between "Crab" and "Crap" in writing?
"Crab" refers to the crustacean or the act of complaining, while "Crap" refers to rubbish, nonsense, or excrement.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Is "Crabbing" a recreational activity?
Yes, "Crabbing" refers to the activity of catching crabs, often for both recreation and food.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 25, 2023
Can "Crap" be used as a verb?
Yes, "Crap" can be a verb meaning to excrete waste.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 25, 2023
How should I use "Crab" in a sentence related to seafood?
You could say, "The crab bisque at this restaurant is exquisite."
Aimie Carlson
Oct 25, 2023
Can "Crap" be used to indicate surprise?
Yes, "Crap!" can be an exclamation of surprise or frustration.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Is "Crab" only a marine creature?
While primarily referring to marine crustaceans, "Crab" can also refer to some freshwater species.
Sara Rehman
Oct 25, 2023
What kind of reaction might "Crap" elicit in formal settings?
"Crap" might be seen as unprofessional or inappropriate in formal settings.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Is "Crab" singular or plural?
"Crab" can be both singular (one crab) and plural (several crab), though "crabs" is also used as the plural form.
Sara Rehman
Oct 25, 2023
Are there dishes named "Crap"?
No, "Crap" generally has negative connotations and wouldn't be used to name a dish.
Sara Rehman
Oct 25, 2023
Which word is more likely to be misinterpreted in writing due to spelling errors?
"Crap" and "Crab" are just one letter apart, so a typo could lead to significant misunderstandings.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 25, 2023
Do both words have idiomatic expressions?
Yes, for instance, "Crabbing about" means complaining, and "Full of crap" means talking nonsense.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 25, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
