To strike with the foot, or to react strongly against something. As a noun, refers to the action of kicking or a stimulating effect.
From Middle English 'kiken', origin uncertain but possibly imitative of the sound. The figurative meaning of 'stimulating effect' (as in 'getting a kick out of something') developed from the physical impact.
The phrase 'kick the bucket' for dying might come from the beam (called a 'bucket') that pigs were hung from for slaughter - they would kick against it! The word's evolution from literal foot action to metaphorical excitement shows how physical experiences shape our language.
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