spanking

What it means

1. not comparableFast and energetic.

   a spanking pace

   2 more examples

   'I'd like nothing better this minute,' said Mr Browne stoutly, 'than a rattling fine walk in the country or a fast drive with a good spanking goer between the shafts.'

   1904–1907 (date written), James Joyce, “The Dead”, in Dubliners, London: Grant Richards, published June 1914, →OCLC, page 257

   On both the Gothland and the Öland Railway, a spanking railcar provides an alternative to riding in the wayward, steam-driven mixed train, but the latter is the proper conveyance for a real railway lover, even over the flat, limestone plains which form much of the Baltic island scenery.

   1939 July, “Overseas Railways: Baltic Island Railways”, in Railway Magazine, page 51

2. not comparableoftennauticalBrisk and fresh.

   a spanking breeze

In a sentence

a spanking pace

Where it comes from

From spank (“to move energetically”) + -ing.