lick
A blow, a bit of work, or the tiniest scrap of something.
Also called hit a lick, a lick of.
Updated September 24, 2026
lick pronunciation
/lik/
Meaning
In Southern and Appalachian talk, lick wears a few work clothes. As a blow it is a sharp hit: one lick with a hammer, or a licking when you get whipped. As effort it is a stroke of work, so "hasn't hit a lick" means hasn't done jack. As quantity it is almost nothing: not a lick of sense, not a lick of rain. Same little word, different porch jobs.
How folks use it
- “He ain't hit a lick of work since dinner.”
- “That boy hasn't got a lick of sense when it comes to money.”
Origin and etymology
English lick long meant a smart blow (Oxford traces that sense). American Regional English marks the blow and "smallest amount" uses as chiefly South and South Midland. Appalachian collectors recorded both "struck a lick of work" and "never worked a lick." Salt lick for animals is a different branch of the same word family.
Frequently asked questions
Does lick always mean a beating?
No. It can be a hit, a bit of work, or a tiny amount. Tone and the rest of the sentence tell you which.