slang. [A midl. and s.w. dial. word taken into general slang use at the beginning of the 20th cent.
The etymological meaning is uncertain, but perh. the orig. notion is that of swinging the body, and the word is ultimately related to OHG., MHG. swanc swinging motion, MHG. swanken (G. schwanken) to sway, totter, etc. (cf. SWANK a.).
The immediate source of sense 2 (= SWINK v.) is prob. different, but ultimate identity of origin may be presumed.]
1. intr. To behave ostentatiously, to swagger; also, to pretend by one’s behavior to be something superior to what one is: gen. to make pretence.
1809. Batchelor, Anal. Eng. Lang., 144. (Bedfordshire dialect) Swangk, to strut.
1848. Evans, Leic. Words & Phrases, s.v., I met him swanking along the road, ever so genteel.
1900. Manch. Guardian, 5 Dec., 3/8 (E.D.D.). Smith picked up a piece of paper, and attempted to light it, but did not do so. The deceased said, ‘None of your swanking, Smith, you can light it well enough.’
1903. ‘Angus McNeill’ (T. W. H. Crosland), Egregious English, x. 93. To see your wife in the Peeresses’ Gallery on great occasions, and your sons swanking about town with Hon. before their names.
2. To work hard, to ‘swot.’
1890. Barrère & Leland, Slang Diet., Swank (public and military schools), to work hard.
1911. A. G. C., Through College Keyhole (Cambr.), 11. E’en have I dreamed of a minute Swanking to claim a degree.
