[BAH-rha-KK] (n. f.) In the late 18th century, a young Napoleon was given command of the French forces in Italy. He gave them a speech in which he acknowledged their sacrifices. "Soldiers, you are naked, ill fed," he said, "You have made (...) forced marches without shoes, camped without brandy and often without bread." He should have mentioned the shoddy barracks soldiers often slept it, these musty, provisory huts they put together for camps. The French word baraque, technically still means temporary constructions but less in the military realm and, rather, refers to a building that won't last long because it's flimsy and poorly made.