Smack Is a Blow, a Taste, a Boat and a Direct Hit
To smack is to strike sharply. Several unrelated words share the spelling, including one meaning a slight flavour.
To smack is to strike sharply with an open hand, and a smack is such a blow. Two other words share the spelling and neither is related. *Smack of*, meaning to have a slight taste or suggestion of something, is Old English *smæc*, a flavour — *it smacks of desperation* uses it. And a *smack* is also a small fishing boat, from Dutch *smak*. *Smack in the middle* means exactly in the centre, from the sound of a direct hit.
- To strike with the hand. *A smack on the wrist.*
- Smack of — to suggest. *Smacks of favouritism.*
- A fishing boat. *A Thames smack.*
- Exactly. *Smack in the middle.*
- Old English — *smæc*, taste. *One source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | smack | Smack it. |
| Past | smacked | Smacked. |
| Noun | smack | A smack. |
| Adverb | smack | Smack in the middle. |
| Dutch | smak | A boat. |
- The ball hit the post with a smack.Sound.
- It smacks of desperation.Taste sense.
- Smack in the middle of town.Adverb.
The unrelated smacks
- Smack (blow) — imitative, from the sound
- Smack (taste) — Old English *smæc*, a flavour
- Smack (boat) — Dutch *smak*, a small sailing vessel
- Smack (adverb) — from the blow sense, meaning squarely
- Smacker — slang for a kiss, or a pound or dollar
The blow sense is imitative. The taste sense is Old English *smæc*. The boat is Dutch *smak*.
What does it smacks of mean?
It has a suggestion or flavour of something, from an Old English word meaning taste, unrelated to the blow.
What is a smack in sailing?
A small single-masted fishing boat, common in British waters, from Dutch smak.