Lickety-Split

Lickety-split means very fast or in a big hurry. Though common in Southern storytelling, the phrase itself did not originate as a Southern or Appalachian expression.

#Southernish

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I thought 'lickety-split' was Southern even though we never used it growin' up.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I thought 'lickety-split' was Southern even though we never used it growin' up.

Pronunciation

[LIK-uh-dee SPLIT]
/ˈlɪkəti splɪt/

Meaning & Usage

- Very fast / in a hurry

Sadie:

Clean up this kitchen lickety-split - company’s almost here!

Buck:

He took off lickety-split soon as he heard that screen door slam.

Origin

"Lickety-split" emerged in 19th-century American slang, appearing in newspapers, stage humor, and tall tales across the Midwest and broader United States. Related forms like "lickety-cut" and "lickety-brindle" suggest a playful, rhythmic style common in American frontier and comedic writing. Its playful sound made it easy to adopt across many regions, including the South, but it is not a native Southern or Appalachian creation. It’s general American folk slang that later blended naturally into Southern speech.

Verdict: Southernish. Sounds right at home in the South, but its origins come from broader American humor rather than true Southern dialect.

Notes

Often used in playful speech, especially with kids or in storytelling.
Its rhythmic, bouncy sound makes people assume it’s Southern, though it appears nationwide.
Still heard in rural areas, children’s books, and nostalgic or humorous conversation.

Common Questions

Does "lickety-split" literally refer to anything?

No. It’s a playful, invented rhythm that simply means "fast."

Is "lickety-split" a real Southern saying?

It’s used heavily in the South, but its origin is general American slang, not Southern or Appalachian.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 22). Lickety-Split. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/lickety-split
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Lickety-Split." HillbillySlang.com, 22 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/lickety-split.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Lickety-Split." HillbillySlang.com. November 22, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/lickety-split.