Back in the olden days the word "lick" had an alternate meaning, approximately meaning speed. Like in "that dog was going at a pretty good lick". I guess I bastardized it a bit!
Funny this should come up here! It made me smile.
The word 'lick' was used in different ways, meant different things.
Many of the old sayings have disappeared. Don't know if it's territorial or generational.
'....never did a lick of work'
' my parents will lick me if I misbehave'
'...moving at a good lick'
' I could lick you in a fight'
And then there was Bing Crosby: "It's an Irish trick, that's true,
I can lick the Mick that threw
The overalls in Mrs. Murphy's chowder"
Gee, it's great to be old enough to remember those things!