[zeestephen]

Re: “You may not realize it but the word “crank” was coined to describe those who advocate the printing of money, not those who oppose it.”

I spent 10 minutes on Google researching that.

Crank (or cranky) - as demeaning slang - was originally used in the 19th Century to describe unpleasant or irritable people.

That definition expanded in the late 19th Century to include people who were completely obsessed with certain ideas, and would not listen to any evidence that challenged those ideas.

I didn't see anything related to “printing money,” but perhaps it's there if you dig deeper.

[DesertRhino]

“I spent 10 minutes on Google researching that.”

Well gee Wally, everyone knows Google is completely reliable, especially since they have that new algorithm completely free of politics.

[SeeSharp]

Crank (or cranky)

"Cranky" isn't the source for the term "crank" in the monetary sense. The term was first coined in reference to the followers of John Law. Later, it was applied to the Banking school, the Currency school, and to the Real Bills doctrine, which was popular with the early proponents of the Federal Reserve.