Smacked..well.. I hope my prof's and mentor's never would do that when I was wrong.

When I use the term "smacked" in most contexts I use it in the figurative sense and not the literal. The only time I remember being myself smacked or seeing others smacked for doing something foolish was in my military experience where doing foolish things could get you and your mates killed.

Of course, I understand that in todays "Politically Correct Military" using physical contact on a recruit or trainee is no longer an option.