zipperhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zipper_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezipper, n.
Revised 2021

zippernoun

  1. 1.
    1923–28
    † U.S. A brand name for: a type of boot or overshoe with a zip fastener. Obsolete.
    1. 1923
      This cozy, snug fitting little Zipper boot worn right over your street shoes or your dainty slippers... A hookless fastener gives Zipper its name. Zipper has a smooth wool jersey top with cuff.
      Beatrice (Nebraska) Daily Sun 22 November 3 (advertisement)
    2. 1925
      These good looking zippers, zip up the front and are easier to walk in than most overshoes.
      Lincoln (Nebraska) Sunday Star 1 November 7
    3. 1928
      Why take chances when you can save by wearing ZIPPERS.
      Stanford (California) Daily 6 February 3 (advertisement)
  2. 2.
    Chiefly North American.
    1. 2.a.
      1924–
      A fastening device for clothes, bags, and other items, consisting of two flexible strips with interlocking projections of metal or plastic which can be closed or opened by pulling a sliding tag along them; (also) the sliding tag on such a fastener; a zip.
      Zip is the more usual term outside North America (see zip n.1 B.2).
      1. 1924
        The dresses are simply made and feature the zipper fastener front. The zipper is made attractive by having a carved ivory motif that fastens or unfastens the dress.
        La Crosse (Wisconsin) Tribune & Leader-Press 11 March 6
      2. 1928
        Bootees..fastening with ‘zippers’, press studs, or inset clips.
        Daily Express 11 October 5/5
      3. 1957
        He hated fiddling with things like zippers caught on tiny strips of cloth.
        New Yorker 29 June 24/2
      4. 1979
        She reached for the zipper of her skirt.
        R. Jaffe, Class Reunion i. xi. 105
      5. 1995
        I had finished peeing and was pulling up my pants..but the zipper was stuck.
        E. Arthur, Antarctic Navigation 96
      6. 2019
        They modernized the jeans' design, replacing the button fly with zippers.
        D. Thomas, Fashionopolis iii. 73
    2. 2.b.
      1931–
      Used figuratively with mouth, lips, and similar words to indicate that a person should stop talking or is reluctant to talk. Cf. zipper v. 2.
      1. 1931
        The kid doesn't know what it's all about. I'll put a zipper on his mouth.
        Arizona Silver Belt 5 March 6/1
      2. 1931
        You and your friend are O. K. with me... O. K. so far, what I mean. But if you pull the zipper on that mouth of yours, it'll be too bad.
        Liberty 29 August 37/2
      3. 1941
        You better put the zipper on that bazzoo of yours, because, otherwise, you might talk yourself into the can for six months.
        Los Angeles Times 31 March
      4. 1993
        She didn't say ‘no’ and she didn't get mad. She just kept smiling, through the invisible zipper on her lips.
        Daily Herald (Chicago) 12 November vi. 4/2
    3. 2.c.
      1937–
      In scientific contexts: a structure or process whose mode of action resembles the opening or closing of a zip fastener. Frequently as a modifier.
      1. 1937
        The work of adhesion between the protein film and the stearate film is not sufficient to give a sufficiently strong zipper action.
        Science 15 January 77/2
      2. 1950
        The other question arises as to whether a structural irregularity, such as the introduction of other units into the polymer chain, itself interrupts the smooth flow of the ‘zipper’ reaction.
        Science Progress vol. 38 8
      3. 1988
        Landschulz, Johnson, and McKnight propose that the leucine side chains from one protein molecule interdigitate with those on a second protein, effectively forming a zipper that holds the two molecules together.
        Science 24 June 1732/2
      4. 2011
        Leucine zippers are oligomerization domains used in a wide range of proteins.
        Journal Biol. Chemistry vol. 286 27537/1
  3. 3.
    1957–
    North American. A long electronic sign or screen which displays scrolling text such as news or advertisements. Now also: a band of scrolling text displayed on a television or computer screen; a news ticker. Frequently in news zipper.
    1. 1957
      Look for the new zipper sign.
      Holland (Michigan) Evening Sentinel 25 April 19/4 (advertisement)
    2. 1982
      The electronic news ‘zipper’ that once flashed news reports around No. 1 Times Square was lit up again today.
      Los Angeles Times 31 December 1/4
    3. 2003
      Screens..crowded with info-bits, including a traveling zipper of text across the bottom.
      Columbia Journalism Review (Nexis) January–February
    4. 2006
      A stock ticker and a news zipper..take up a third of the screen.
      New Yorker 5 June 89/2
    5. 2013
      The digital zipper sign at the pawnshop at the intersection of Hood Road and Route 190 in the center of Killeen flashes, We Love Our Soldiers!!! Great Deals!!! Best Prices For Your Stuff!!!
      K. T. McLeish, Making War at Fort Hood v. 218

Phrases

  1. P.1.
    1937–
    colloquial. to put the zipper on (also to put a zipper on): to put a stop to (something); to interrupt or prevent (a plan or course of action). Cf. sense 2b.
    1. 1937
      It behooves every voter in Vigo county to put a zipper on his enthusiasm.
      Saturday Spectator (Terre Haute, Indiana) 20 November 4/2
    2. 1986
      He just wanted to put the zipper on the rumors.
      P. Evans, Ari xvii. 293
    3. 2011
      [He] wrote to the Smithsonian's Surprising Science blog to put the zipper on Levi's suggestion.
      Independent 17 November 43/3
  2. P.2.
    1966–
    colloquial. put a zipper on it: ‘be quiet’, ‘shut up’.
    1. 1966
      Purra zipper on it, please be silent.
      F. Shaw et al., Lern Yerself Scouse 21
    2. 1986
      Put a zipper on it, Leroy,’ she said. ‘I don't have spare time either, especially not for one of your tantrums.’
      M. Z. Lewin, Late Payments ix. 58
    3. 2007
      Jack, if you could just put a zipper on it for about three minutes, that might be helpful.
      B. McGrory, Strangled iii. 18

zipper, n. was revised in March 2021.

zipper, n. was last modified in June 2025.