carjacking
UK[ˈkɑːdʒækɪŋ]US[ˈkɑːrdʒækɪŋ]
n
The crime of stealing a car by using force or threats against the driver.
Morpheme Breakdown
car
jacking
car
vehicle
jacking
stealing
Etymology
The word is a modern American English compound, formed in the late 20th century. It blends 'car', the ubiquitous term for an automobile, with 'jacking', a slang term for robbery derived from 'hijack'. The term 'hijack' emerged in the 1920s, originally referring to stealing illicit liquor, with its etymology obscured in folk etymology. 'Carjacking' thus logically and vividly denotes the specific criminal act of commandeering a vehicle directly from its driver, updating the older concept of hijacking for the age of personal automobiles.
Analysis
Structure: car (vehicle) + jacking (stealing)
- car: Shortened from 'motorcar', ultimately from Latin 'carrus' (wheeled vehicle). Functions as the object of the action in this compound.
- jacking: Derived from the verb 'to jack' (to steal), itself from 'hijack'. 'Hijack' is of uncertain origin, possibly from the command "Hi, Jack!" used by robbers. Functions as the action component in this compound.
Examples
The recent spike in carjackings has prompted increased police patrols in the downtown area.
He was a victim of a violent carjacking while stopped at a traffic light.
New car models often come with anti-theft devices to help prevent carjacking.