A quick snapping movement, or slang for a movie or film.
Imitative in origin, resembling the sound of a quick movement. First used as 'flick' in the 1500s for the movement itself. The slang meaning 'movie' developed in the early 1900s, likely because early silent films moved in a flickering, jerky manner (called 'flickers'), which was shortened to 'flicks.'
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