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sockdologer

British  
/ sɒkˈdɒlədʒə /

noun

  1. a decisive blow or remark

  2. an outstanding person or thing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sockdologer

C19: of uncertain origin; perhaps from sock ² + doxology (in the sense: the closing act of a church service) + -er 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.

The answer was a sockdologer, and the representative of their lordships, after this brief exposition of sea law, made no more interruptions.”

From Scientific American • Sep. 14, 2011

In my opinion it was just a sockdologer.

From Tom Sawyer Abroad by Twain, Mark

I see Thomas Jefferson lookin' out from a cloud and sayin': "Give him another sockdologer; finish him"' And I see millions of men wavin' their hats and singin' "Glory Hallelujah!"

From Plunkitt of Tammany Hall: a series of very plain talks on very practical politics, delivered by ex-Senator George Washington Plunkitt, the Tammany philosopher, from his rostrum—the New York County court house bootblack stand; Recorded by William L. Riordon by Plunkitt, George Washington

It's only an opinion, it's only MY opinion and others may think different; but I said it then and I stand to it now—it was a sockdologer.

From Tom Sawyer Abroad by Twain, Mark

He looked surprised indeed, but made a rush, possibly thinking there had been some mistake and he had been kicked by a mule instead of receiving the sockdologer from the effeminate-looking dude.

From Oscar the Detective Or, Dudie Dunne, The Exquisite Detective by Halsey, Harlan Page