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spanking

[spang-king]

Origin

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adjective

moving rapidly and smartly.

quick and vigorous: a spanking pace.

blowing briskly: a spanking breeze.

Informal. unusually fine, great, large, etc.; remarkable; distinctive: a spanking monogram in gold embroidery.

adverb

Informal. extremely, strikingly, or remarkably; very: three little girls in spanking new dresses.

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Spanking is always a great word to know.

So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:

an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.

a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.

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Origin:
1660–70; perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Danish, Norwegian spanke, Swedish spånka to strut

Related forms

spank·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged

verb (used with object)

to strike (a person, usually a child) with the open hand, a slipper, etc., especially on the buttocks, as in punishment.

noun

a blow given in spanking; a smart or resounding slap.

Origin:
1720–30; imitative

verb (used without object)

to move rapidly, smartly, or briskly.

Origin:
1800–10; back formation from spanking

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Collins

World English Dictionary

spanking¹ (ˈspæŋkɪŋ)

—n
	a series of spanks, esp on the buttocks, usually as a punishment for children

spanking² (ˈspæŋkɪŋ)

—*adj*
1.	informal outstandingly fine, smart, large, etc
2.	quick and energetic; lively
3.	(esp of a breeze) fresh and brisk

[C17: of uncertain origin. Compare Danish spanke to strut]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

spank

1727, possibly imitative of the sound of spanking. The noun is from 1785.

EXPAND

spanking

1666, "very big or fine," later (especially of horses) "moving at a lively pace" (1738), perhaps from a Scand. source (cf. Dan. spanke "to strut").

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