“Fracas” comes from the French verb “fracasser,” which means “to smash violently.” But the French got it from the Italians — “fracassare” (with the same definition). You can use “fracas” to describe any kind of noisy, rambunctious fight — physical or verbal. If you must enter a fracas, make sure you’re pronouncing it correctly. In the U.S., the first syllable of “fracas” sounds like the word “fray,” with a long “a,” and you pronounce the “s” on the end (“FRAY-kuhs”). In British English, it’s “FRACK-ah.”