adj. (common).—Generic for plenty: thus a SWIMMING (= a full or brisk) MARKET: cf. SICK; a SWIMMING (= an overfull) DISH; a SWIMMING (= an extremely pleasant) TIME, etc. Hence SWIMMINGLY = successfully, prosperously.
1622. FLETCHER, The Prophetess, i. 3.
| Max. … Can such a rascal as thou art hope for honour?… | |
| Geta. Yes; and bear it too, | |
| And bear it SWIMMINGLY. |
1774. BRIDGES, A Burlesque Translation of Homer, 180.
| Thus SWIMMINGLY the knave went on, | |
| And killed two birds with every stone. |
1809. IRVING, Knickerbocker History of New-York, 233. And now, for a time, affairs went on SWIMMINGLY.
1809. MALKIN, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 441. Your business is going SWIMMINGLY.
