"a ludicrous trick" [Johnson], 1520s, of uncertain origin, perhaps related to obsolete verb prank "decorate, dress up" (mid-15c.), related to Middle Low German prank "display" (compare also Dutch pronken, German prunken "to make a show, to strut"). The verb in the modern sense also is from 1520s. Related: Pranked; pranking.
双语例句
1. It was thought that the fire alarm had been set off as a prank.
人们认为火警报警器响是个恶作剧.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. One of these skits, " The King of Beasts " resembles a traditional frontier prank.
一出滑稽短剧《兽王 》 酷似传统的边疆闹剧.
来自英汉非文学 - 民俗
3. Some people said this was Kao's prank - a deliberate attempt to break them apart.
有人说这是高松年开的玩笑,存心拆开他们俩.
来自汉英文学 - 围城
4. The dean was ranking the boys for pulling the prank.
系主任正在惩罚那些恶作剧的男学生.
来自互联网
5. Ms. Luo said she had received prank calls and plenty of criticism.
