Fisticuff

/ˈfɪstɪkʌf/ noun

Definition

A punch or blow delivered with the fist, especially in a fight; combat with fists (often used in plural as fisticuffs).

Etymology

From fist combined with cuff (a blow to the head), possibly blended with the French 'coup' meaning 'a stroke.' The word emerged in English during the 16th-17th centuries and became especially popular in 18th-19th century sporting language.

Kelly Says

Nobody really knows if 'fisticuff' comes from the French 'coup' or is just English wordplay combining fist and cuff, but either way, it's pure comedy—a fancy-sounding word for getting punched in the face!

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