Spanking

Since the 17th and 18th centuries, this word has enjoyed two meanings. Firstly, as in to install a spanking new kitchen, which means a fine, exceptional, new kitchen, and secondly, as in to set a spanking pace, which means a fast and vigorous pace. The OED gives the etymological source from the Old Norse spanke, meaning to strut or run in a fine or vigorous way, which does seem to cover both meanings. Spanking as in to spank, meaning a beating or a thrashing, is a colloquial word that dates from the early 18th century and is purely imitative or echoic of the sound that such a beating makes. See also brand spanking new.