Here are the leading contenders:
1. The "Branding" Connection:
* This theory suggests that the phrase originates from the practice of branding livestock. Newly born calves would be branded with a hot iron, leaving a "spanking" mark.
* The association of "brand" with newness could have then evolved into the current usage.
2. The "Spanking" Connection:
* Another theory focuses on the act of spanking itself. This might be connected to the "newness" of a spanking – a punishment delivered to a child for misbehavior.
* This interpretation implies that something "brand spanking new" is as fresh and untainted as a child who hasn't yet been spanked.
3. The "Spanking" & "Branding" Connection:
* Some scholars believe the phrase might be a combination of both these elements.
* This theory suggests that the "spanking" part relates to the fresh, clean, and unblemished state of something new, while "brand" might signify its distinct identity and quality.
4. The "Spanking" & "Sparking" Confusion:
* It's also possible that the phrase "brand spanking new" originated as a corruption of "brand sparking new."
* This would relate to the process of forging metal, where sparks are generated during the heating and shaping process.
* This interpretation suggests that "brand sparking new" would signify something as fresh and new as metal just emerging from the forge.
The Real Origin is Unknown:
Ultimately, the true origin of the phrase "brand spanking new" remains unclear. While the theories presented offer plausible explanations, none have been definitively proven.
Regardless of its origins, the phrase continues to be a widely used and understood idiom in the English language, signifying something that is completely new, fresh, and unused.