other spellings: brand new, brand-spankin new, and brand spankin'
★ If somebody says something's brand-spankin’, they might just be lookin’ for a reason to show it off. ★
Origin
The phrase combines "brand new" - in use since the 16th century, where "brand" referred to something fresh from the fire or forge - with "spankin’," a 17th-18th century term meaning "remarkably fine" or "impressive." The pairing "brand-spankin’ new" shows up in American English by the early 1800s, likely for rhythmic emphasis. The "spankin’" here has nothing to do with spanking a baby; it comes from the older sense of "spank" meaning to move briskly or to be striking in appearance.
Notes
The phrase is lighthearted and playful. In Appalachia, you'll hear it mostly for things that are new and worth bragging about - whether it's a tractor, a Sunday dress, or a pickup truck.