English
lickety-split
First attested during the 19th century, in the US, equivalent to lickedy + split, perhaps as a reference to the flick or darting of a snake's forked tongue.
Proto-Indo-European *(s)pley- ‘to split, splice’
Proto-Germanic *splītaną
Proto-West Germanic *splītan ‘to split’
Proto-West Germanic *splittjan
Middle Dutch splitten ‘to split’
English split
first attested First attested during the 19th century, in the US, equivalent to lickedy + split, perhaps as a reference to the flick or darting of a snake's forked tongue (as stated in the etymology)
The story
First attested during the 19th century, in the US, equivalent to lickedy + split, perhaps as a reference to the flick or darting of a snake's forked tongue. The forms lickety-cut and licketie are similarly attested; and forms with t are likely due to Scottish influence.
Today it means
adv Quickly; as fast as possible; in short order.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / lickety-split