About "Lickety Split"
'Lickety Split' is an American colloquial expression meaning very
quickly or at great speed. According to Etymology Online, this phrase emerged in mid-19th century American
English, combining 'lickety' (possibly from 'lick' meaning to move quickly) with 'split' (meaning to move
rapidly). The American Dialect Society documents how such colorful expressions became part of American
vernacular speech patterns. This phrase represents the creativity and informality of American English,
where playful combinations of words create memorable expressions for describing speed and urgency. The
expression has remained popular in casual speech and appears frequently in literature and media to convey
rapid action or immediate response, making it a distinctive example of American linguistic creativity.
Sources: Etymology Online - Lickety Split, American Dialect Society.