See also: break in and breakin'

English edit

Etymology 1 edit

Deverbal from break in.

Noun edit

break-in (plural break-ins)

  1. The act of entering a place with the intent to steal or commit some other offense; an instance of breaking and entering.
    There was a break-in at the shop; everything was taken.
Translations edit

Etymology 2 edit

Coined by Bill Buchanan and Dickie Goodman to describe their then-new song The Flying Saucer, referring to how material from one song would "break-in" to their song.

Noun edit

break-in (uncountable)

  1. (used attributively) A novelty record where a question is asked or a comment is raised, and the replies are lyrics from other songs, sampled from the recordings.
    • 2021, Justin Morey, “UK Sampling Practice”, in Ewa Mazierska, editor, The Evolution of Electronic Dance Music, page 66:
      Described by Ken Simpson as a ... novelty record where ‘snippets of current hits’ are inserted into ‘a little melodrama almost set up as a newscast’ (Simpson 2016), the first example of a break-in record that I am aware of is ... The Flying Saucer.

Anagrams edit