skelp
1 Americannoun
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a slap, smack, or blow, especially one given with the open hand.
-
the sound of such a slap or smack.
verb (used with object)
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to slap, smack, or strike (someone), especially on the buttocks; spank.
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to drive (animals) by slapping or goading them.
noun
verb
noun
noun
Etymology
Origin of skelp1
1350–1400; Middle English; probably imitative
Origin of skelp2
First recorded in 1805–15; perhaps special use of skelp 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
David Narey's famous skelp to put Scotland one up against Brazil in 1982 was the exact point at which the rot set in.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 7, 2010
"Well, skelp off with you, and make a spade now," replied the other, who wanted to be quiet and think, "and you and Em'line can dig in the sand."
From The Blue Lagoon: a romance by H. De Vere (Henry De Vere) Stacpoole
A high falsetto voice from the gathering' audience cried: 'Oh, ye bad boy, come here till I skelp ye!'—and there was a general laugh, in which the hapless object did not join.
From Wee Macgreegor Enlists by J. J. (John Joy) Bell
The Poet, some guid angel help him, Or else, I fear some ill ane skelp him, He may do weel for a’ he’s done yet, But only—he’s no just begun yet.
From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Robert Burns
W'y, sir, he neber tuck a skelp in all his life.
From Burl by Morrison Heady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
