sockdolager

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   dated US informal: a decisive blow, overwhelming answer, or event that settles a matter

   Another flash split the sky, followed by a sockdolager of a thunderclap.

2. 2
   noun

   dated US informal: something exceptionally large, impressive, or outstanding

   The fisherman claimed the storm had driven a sockdolager of a wave over the bow.

An Americanism recorded from the 1820s, with many historical spellings including sockdologer. Its origin is unknown. A connection with sock, 'to hit,' is plausible but unproved; the popular derivation from doxology is speculative.

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