spanking meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

spanking

adj

CA, US /ˈspeɪ̯ŋkɪŋ/ · /ˈspæŋkɪŋ/

Etymology From spank (“to move energetically”) + -ing.

Fast and energetic.

a spanking pace
'I'd like nothing better this minute,' said Mr Browne stoutly, 'than a rattling fine walk in the country or a fast drive with a good spanking goer between the shafts.'1904–1907 (date written), James Joyce, “The Dead”, in Dubliners, London: Grant Richards, published June 1914, →OCLC, page 257:

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On both the Gothland and the Öland Railway, a spanking railcar provides an alternative to riding in the wayward, steam-driven mixed train, but the latter is the proper conveyance for a real railway lover, even over the flat, limestone plains which form much of the Baltic island scenery.1939 July, “Overseas Railways: Baltic Island Railways”, in Railway Magazine, page 51:

Nautical, Transport Often Brisk and fresh.

adv

Etymology From spank (“to move energetically”) + -ing.

Colloquial, Usually, With “new” An intensifier.

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noun

Etymology From spank (“to punish by swatting”) + -ing (participial suffix) and -ing (gerundial suffix).

A form of physical punishment in which a beating is applied to the buttocks.

Domestic spanking is often endured over the knee (or lap), formal spanking rather applied over a contraption such as a trestle or A-frame, with or without constraints.

An incident of such punishment, or such physical act in a non-punitive context, such as a birthday spanking.

Some people think spankings of any sort constitute child abuse.2001, John Rosemond, John Rosemond's New Parent Power!:

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.