www.alphadictionary.com

I would be willing to bet a whole dollar that crank has its origin in the German "krank" for sick. How it evolved into an ill tempered person is easily discerned. I wonder if the mechanical type of crank is of the same heritage.

Not just a ill tempered old codger, let's not forget "crank calls". Probably inspired by folks who have to much time on their hands and niggle the authorities with little stuff of not much import.

E

www.Etymonline.com does not give you much to go on, William. Crank has meant twisted or turned for eons. There is some support for a Dutch word similar to the German “krank”, meaning ill. IK can find no modern Dutch word like that. It is not convincing to me.

I have been called cranky on many occasions.

Occasionally, I still hear people talking about cranking up the car.

Occasionally, I still hear people talking about cranking up the car.

Or, in mid-summer: "When I get home, I'm cranking up the AC!"

Or the reverse in the middle of a polar vortex.