sockdolager

Meaning

1. (US, dated, slang) A hard hit, a knockout or finishing blow, or conclusive argument.
2. (US, dated, slang) Something large or otherwise exceptional; a whopper.
3. (US) A combination of two hooks which close upon each other, by means of a spring, as soon as the fish bites.

Synonyms

bombshell

finisher

ripsnorter

sensation

spanker

stunt

socksologer

Pronounced as (IPA)

[ˌsɑk.ˈdɑːɫ.ə.d͡ʒɚ]

Etymology

Unknown, 1827 US, presumably fanciful variant of sock (“to hit”); compare contemporary fanciful American coinages.
Various speculative etymologies have been suggested, such as corruption of doxology, due to this occurring at the end of church worship, hence “finality”.