OK, I gonna be that person that questions everything that’s ever been, starting with: Why is a lick called a lick?
"There's no such thing as a dumb question" ... Other Than This One!
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Exactly!!! Also, what is the difference between a lick and a riff, etc?
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Cause they needed a name to describe it!
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Every time I mention a lick to my sister, she starts making licking noises. It’s so annoying!
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You’re right, there is no dumb question, only that an answer could be dumb (of course other than this my answer)! In other words, “I can lick this one!” 
I would think it is used in the sense as a tool to conquer the music. Like fire licking something meaning it wipes out things in a complete conquest. I think the term lick was used frequently in English before, as I have seen it used by an Indian company owner (my first company sort of), who was a great marketer, who had businesses in UK and Australia, so could be from British/Australian English or from old American English usage.
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Well you see, when the first lick was played way back in the day, they ate ice cream to celebrate. They tried to come up with a name for their new discovery and were struggling to come up with something. One weird guy in the group named Spartacus licked his ice cream and then yelled “That’s it!” and said they must call it a lick. None of the others agreed but he went out and told everyone it was called a lick and it just stuck.
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Typically I see a lick as a short phrase that can be used across any song and a riff is a more “custom” phrase that defines a specific song. I believe riffs are more common in rock and other types of music and bluegrass tends to have more generic phrases that are used in many songs. That’s the difference I’ve observed at least, not sure if it’s accurate or not.
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The letters you use 
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)The best answer I’ve ever gotten! Most people look at me like I’m weird when I ask that!
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Like if the object being licked is ice cold metal, and your tongue sticks to it
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I guess that’s when it becomes a riff 
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It’s Ok! @cboling Your not the only who has asked that question. 
I’m still asking a question: Why do they call your guitar kick-offs Potatoes? 
I’m pretty Chicken 
to ask certain questions! 
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hmm what a strange thought! that’s ruff!
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Exactly!! I’ve been stumped for 3 Years.
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Probably for the same conclusions I’ve come to with licks: because they can, and, it’s fun! I love playing potatoes, but the name is even better!
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Good point, probably just to make it fun for people!
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Taters sound a-peeling.
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