Where does “yanking” come from?

Yanking comes from English yank, which is attested in Scots as yank, though the ultimate origin remains uncertain.

yanking (English): present participle of yank

Definitions

  1. present participle of yank

Ancestry of “yanking”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishyankA sudden, vigorous pull; A masturbation session;...
2Scotsyanka sudden tug, a jerk, a yank; a blow, a slap; to...
Every word from Scots yank →Every word from English yank →