Swimmingly/swimmingly well

Origin of: Swimmingly/swimmingly well

Swimmingly/swimmingly well

Swimmingly means moving smoothly with ease, as a good swimmer might, and this figurative usage dates from the early 17th century. During the 19th century, swimmingly or swimmingly well took on a further figurative meaning of splendidly and this is usually the meaning and usage encountered today.