Spankin

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A playful or vigorous physical hit, often delivered on the backside
2. An energetic activity marked by excitement or enthusiasm
3. Referring to something that is strikingly impressive or noteworthy in appearance or presentation

Etymology: "Spanking" in the sense of "remarkably fine" or "impressive" is a nineteenth-century slang use built on the verb "spank," which meant to move briskly or to strike with the flat of the hand. The verb is the older of the two, and its origin is uncertain; it may be imitative of the sound of a sharp slap, or it may be related to "spang," a dialect word for a sudden or energetic motion. By the late 1700s, "spank" could describe a fast, lively pace, and a spanking horse was one that trotted smartly. From that sense of brisk, showy movement came the adjective. Someone who was spanking was lively and vigorous, and by the 1800s the word had shifted to praise things that looked smart and impressive, such as a fine ship or a sleek carriage. Its use in English is documented from the early nineteenth century, and it has since spread through informal speech, most often in British and Australian English.

Synonyms: brand-new, fresh, new, shiny, clean

Antonyms: old, used, worn, dirty