(B. E. c. 1686).—1. ‘A Twang or ill Taste.’
2. (tailors’).—A liking; a fancy: e.g., ‘He had a real SMACK for the old ’un’: cf. (old colloquial) SMACKERING = ‘a longing for’ (BAILEY).
3. (colloquial).—A kiss: also SMACKER. Whence TO SMACK CALF’S SKIN (common) = to take oath.
1786. BURNS, The Jolly Beggars.
| Ilk SMACK still, did crack still, | |
| Just like a cadger’s whup. |
1809. IRVING, Knickerbocker History of New-York, 171. The gentlemen gallantly attended their fair ones to their respective abodes, and took leave of them with a hearty SMACK at the door.
1860. DICKENS, The Uncommercial Traveller, xxvii. She heard a SMACK. Heard a SMACK which was not a blow.
SMACK SMOOTH, phr. (colloquial).—‘Level with the surface; everything cut away’ (GROSE).
1790. DIBDIN, Poor Jack. Though the tempest the top-gallant masts SMACK smooth should smite.
