Walloper

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. Someone who delivers a heavy blow or strike ; a thing that is notably large, strong, or impressive
2. A person known for dealing strong hits or blows ; an object characterized by its considerable size or impact
3. An individual who gives forceful strikes ; something remarkable for its great power or size

Etymology: "Walloper" is simply "wallop" with the agent suffix "-er," so it means one who wallops, a hard hitter. The suffix has a long pedigree: it descends from Latin "-arius," which became Old French "-ier" and entered English through Middle English "-er," ultimately tracing back through Proto-Germanic and Old English forms of the same ending. The suffix was already a productive English tool for naming people by what they do, so the base word did the real work here. The base, "wallop," is the more colourful part of the story. It is a word for a heavy blow, and it has been applied to both physical beatings and hard-hitting sports players. Attaching "-er" to it produces a noun for someone who delivers such blows, and the same formation gives the verb-side its agent. Because "walloper" is a transparent formation, its meaning stays close to its parts, and no separate coinage or famous coiner is involved.