Early 20th century; earliest use found in Variety. From Yiddish alter kaker from German (vulgar and derogatory) alter Kacker old man (also with masculine definite article, der alte Kacker) from alter, weak masculine singular of alt + Kacker (vulgar) despicable person, especially denoting a man (15th cent.; lit. ‘person who defecates’, although the literal sense is rare; from kacken (vulgar) to defecate + -er).