zappy, adj.

zappy
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zappy_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 1986; not fully revised

# zappyadjective

## Earlier version

- zappy, a. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the adjective zappy mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the adjective zappy. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

#### Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

### How common is the adjective zappy?

Fewer than 0.01occurrences per million words in modern written English

1960 | 0.0018
1970 | 0.0018
1980 | 0.0019
1990 | 0.0019
2000 | 0.0022
2010 | 0.0023

### How is the adjective zappy pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzapi/
ZAP-ee

#### U.S. English

/ˈzæpi/
ZAP-ee

### Where does the adjective zappy come from?

Earliest known use

1960s

The earliest known use of the adjective zappy is in the 1960s.

OED's earliest evidence for zappy is from 1969, in the Guardian.

zappy is formed within English, by derivation.

Etymons: zap n., ‑y suffix1.

### Nearby entries

1. Zapatism, n. 1911–
2. Zapatismo, n. 1913–
3. Zapatist, n. & adj. 1911–
4. Zapatista, n. & adj. 1911–
5. zapote, n. 1842–
6. Zapotec, n. & adj. 1797–
7. zappe, v. c1600
8. zapped, adj. 1962–
9. zapper, n. 1969–
10. zapping, n. 1972–
11. zappy, adj.1969–
12. zaptieh, n. 1869–
13. ZAPU, n. 1961–
14. Zar, n. 1868–
15. Zarathustrian, adj. & n. 1859–
16. Zarathustrianism, n. 1864–
17. Zarathustric, adj. 1848–
18. Zarathustrism, n. 1871–
19. zaratite, n. 1858–
20. zarcole, n. 1585–
21. zarda, n. 1899–

## Etymology

### Summary

Formed within English, by derivation.
< zap n. + ‑y suffix1.

## Meaning & use

slang.

1. 1969–
   Lively, amusing, energetic; striking.
   1. 1969

      > The Minister wore in his lapel..a zappy coloured badge of the ‘Cocoa makes you sterile’ type.

      Guardian 1 March 5/2
   2. 1971

      > They were both giving each other big zappy grins.

      ‘J. Mayo’, Asking for It xxiv. 155
   3. 1972

      > We badly need some zappy young editor who will start making his more garrulous authors prune their books.

      Observer 16 July 30/2
   4. 1983

      > The best of contemporary American prose sometimes has a zappy elegance.

      Times Literary Supplement 30 December 1448/3
   5. 1984

      > The company felt the need for a zappier profile.

      Listener 3 May 30/4
   colloquial and slang
   1. jolly c1325–1586
      In more physical sense: Having the freshness and lively spirits of youth or good health; fresh, lively, sprightly, spirited. Obsolete.
   2. lightsome a1382–
      Radiant or luminous in a spiritual, intellectual, aesthetic, etc., sense; brilliant, bright, splendid; animated, vivacious. Now rare.
   3. kedge c1440–
      Brisk, lively; in good spirits.
   4. fledge?1461–1642
      figurative. All in a flutter, high-spirited.
   5. crank 1499–
      Lively, brisk, in high spirits; lusty, sprightly, merry; aggressively high-spirited, disposed to exult or triumph, ‘cocky’. Now dialect and in U.S.
   6. frisky?a1500–
      Given to frisking; lively; playful.
   7. sprighty a1522–1919
      Vigorous or lively; spirited. Cf. spirity, adj. A.1, sprightly, adj.
   8. frisk 1528–1611
      Full of life and spirit; brisk, lively, frisky.
   9. sprightful 1550–
      Full of spirit. Of a person: full of energy or animation; active, vigorous; lively, energetic (cf. sprightly, adj. B.I.2a). Also: assertive…
   10. quick-spirited 1552–
   11. cranking 1567
       Apparently = crank, adj.¹ A.2.
   12. lively 1567–
       Animated, vivacious; jolly, cheerful.
   13. quick-sprighted 1579–1614
   14. aleger 1590–1626
       Lively; cheerful.
   15. bright-eyed 1590–
       That has bright or clear eyes; (figurative) glad, hopeful; alert, eager, animated.
   16. firking 1594–
   17. sprightly 1594–
       Of a person: full of spirit, energy, or vitality; mettlesome; active, dynamic; vivacious. Now esp. (of an older person): physically vigorous; spry.
   18. spirituous 1601–
       Spirited; animated, lively, vivacious. Now rare.
   19. great-stomached 1607–
       †a. High-spirited (see stomach, n. 6) (obsolete); b. having a large stomach.
   20. spirity 1615–
       Esp. of a person or animal: full of spirit; characterized by animation, energy, vivacity, or boldness; spirited; mettlesome. Now rare.
   21. spiritous 1628–
       Spirited; animated, lively, vivacious. rare after 18th cent. Cf. spirituous, adj. 2.
   22. lifesome c1635–
       Full of life or animation, lively.
   23. vivacious 1645–
       Full of, characterized by, or exhibiting vivacity or liveliness; animated, brisk, lively, sprightly. Of persons, the mind, disposition, etc.
   24. rattling c1650–
       Of a person: extremely lively, animated; talkative. Now rare.
   25. quick-set 1653–
       Lively, animated; (of the senses or intellect) keen, attentive, aware.
   26. airy 1654–
       Like air in its lightness and buoyancy. Lively, sprightly; cheerful, vivacious. Now chiefly Irish English.
   27. animated 1660–
       Full of the activity and movement of life, enlivened; spirited, lively, vivacious.
   28. sparkling a1704–
       Of persons: brilliant, animated, sprightly.
   29. bob 1721–
       slang. ? Lively, ‘nice’. Cf. bobbish, adj.
   30. vivace 1721
       Vivacious, lively.
   31. animate 1801–
       Lively; with the full activity of life; = animated, adj.
   32. high-lifed 1859–
       U.S. Full of life or spirit; (of an animal, esp. a horse) frisky, skittish, high-spirited.
   33. sassy 1859–
       In a neutral or positive sense: self-assured, bold, or spirited; cheeky; vigorous, lively. Frequently with reference to speech: confidently sharp…
   34. chippy 1865–
       Cheerful and lively; = chipper, adj.
   35. sparky 1883–
       Emitting sparks; also, lively, vivacious.
   36. high-keyed 1893–
       Originally and chiefly U.S. Full of or characterized by strong emotion, great tension, or excitement; (of a person) highly strung; on edge.
   37. high life 1903–
       U.S. = high-lifed, adj. 2 Now rare.
   38. peppy 1914–
       Full of energy or vigour; spirited, lively.
   39. pepful 1915–
       Full of life or energy; vigorous.
   40. jazzy 1917–
       Lively, exciting, spirited; bright, vivid, gaudy; showy, flashy, ostentatious.
   41. smoking hot 1947–
       colloquial. Frequently in form smokin' hot. Originally Jazz. Very lively, energetic, or exciting; performing or performed at a very high level…
   42. upbeat 1947–
       colloquial (originally and chiefly U.S.). Cheerful, happy; hopeful, optimistic, positive; lively, vigorous.
   43. funky-ass 1967–
       a. (derogatory) deserving of contempt; worthless, low-down; b. lively; bold; sassy; c. (of music) in a funk style; having a strong dance rhythm.
   44. zappy 1969–
       Lively, amusing, energetic; striking.
   45. sparkly 1979–
       Sparkling; that sparkles. Also figurative, lively.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. piquant 1645–
      Stimulating or agreeable to the mind or senses; fascinating; charming.
   2. poignant a1657–
      Stimulating to the mind, feelings, or passions; pleasantly or delightfully piquant. Now rare except as merged in later use of 2a.
   3. French 1682–
      With the implication of sexual adventurousness or explicitness. See also French letter, n., French tickler, n.
   4. flavorous 1697–
      Full of flavour; pleasing to the taste and smell, savoury; ‘fragrant, odorous’ (Johnson).
   5. zested 1769–
   6. zestful 1797–
      figurative. Full of zest; invigorating, stimulating, enjoyable; lively, spirited; = zesty, adj. 2. Cf. zest, n.¹ 3, 4.
   7. pungent 1850–
      Mentally stimulating or exciting; fascinating. Now rare.
   8. spicy 1853–
      Exciting, exhilarating.
   9. zesty 1853–
      figurative. Characterized by energy or vigour; lively, spirited; invigorating, stimulating. Cf. zest, n.¹ 3.
   10. juicy 1883–
       figurative. Suggestive, esp. in a sexual way; piquant, racy, sensational. colloquial.
   11. nutty 1894
       figurative. Pleasant, rich, full of zest; spicy or piquant in interest. Obsolete.
   12. sauced 1894–
       With up. Of food: embellished or made more flavoursome by the addition of a sauce; (figurative) that has been embellished or made fancy or showy in…
   13. colourful 1905–
       Full of or characterized by colour; esp. brightly coloured.
   14. zappy 1969–
       Lively, amusing, energetic; striking.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzapi/
ZAP-ee

### U.S. English

/ˈzæpi/
ZAP-ee

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Frequency

zappy typically occurs fewer than 0.01 times per million words in modern written English.

zappy is in frequency band 2, which contains words occurring between 0.001 and 0.01 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zappy, adj., 1960–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1960 | 0.0018
1970 | 0.0018
1980 | 0.0019
1990 | 0.0019
2000 | 0.0022
2010 | 0.0023

zappy, adj. was first published in 1986; not fully revised.

zappy, adj. was last modified in July 2023.