Why does “Whip smart” come to mean “Very smart”? Oxford online dictionary defines “Whip smart” as informal, chiefly North American Very quick-witted and intelligent: But I’m unable to associate the word, “whip” with “smart and intelligent” as it comes out For instance, COD at hand defines “whip” as: strip of leather or cord fastened to handle
whip-smart, adj. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective whip-smart See ‘Meaning use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence This word is used in North American English How common is the adjective whip-smart? Fewer than 0 01 occurrences per million words in modern written English How is the adjective whip-smart pronounced?
Smart as a whip - Idioms by The Free Dictionary Very intelligent or clever, as in Little Brian is smart as a whip; he's only three and already learning to read This simile alludes to the sharp crack of a whip
Whip-Smart - Definition, Usage Quiz | W | Dictionary | Ultimate Lexicon Whip-smart is an informal adjective describing someone who is exceptionally intelligent, quick-witted, and perceptive This term suggests that a person can respond or react with the speed and accuracy of a whip crack