whack
Meaning
To hit something very hard, making a loud sound.
A hard, sharp blow that makes a loud sound.
(informal) A share or portion.
Usage
He used a stick to whack the piñata until it broke open.
The book fell off the shelf and landed on the floor with a loud whack.
For your whack of the bill, it'll be about twenty pounds.
Etymology
The word 'whack' is first recorded in English in the early 18th century. It is believed to be an onomatopoeic formation, created to imitate the sharp, resonant sound of a solid blow. This sound symbolism directly links the word's form to its core meaning of a hard hit. Over time, its usage expanded metaphorically; in informal contexts, it came to denote one's allotted portion or share, perhaps from the idea of a fair division struck or "whacked" out.
Analysis
The word 'whack' is considered a simplex word. It is likely of imitative origin, formed to mimic the sound of a sharp blow.