English Explanatory Dictionary

lickety-split

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adv
  1. Quickly; as fast as possible; in short order.

Pronunciation

en-us-lickety-split.ogg

Word forms

lickety-split lickedy-split

Etymology

First attested during the 19th century, in the US, equivalent to lickedy + split, perhaps as a reference to the flick or darting of a snake's forked tongue. The forms lickety-cut and licketie are similarly attested; and forms with t are likely due to Scottish influence.

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