zinger, n.

zinger
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zinger_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2021

# zingernoun

## Earlier version

- zinger in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zinger mean?

There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun zinger. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

### How common is the noun zinger?

About 0.04occurrences per million words in modern written English

1950 | 0.015
1960 | 0.023
1970 | 0.029
1980 | 0.034
1990 | 0.039
2000 | 0.046
2010 | 0.053

### How is the noun zinger pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɪŋə/
ZING-uh

#### U.S. English

/ˈzɪŋər/
ZING-uhr

### Where does the noun zinger come from?

Earliest known use

1900s

The earliest known use of the noun zinger is in the 1900s.

OED's earliest evidence for zinger is from 1906, in the Inlander.

zinger is formed within English, by derivation.

Etymons: zing v., ‑er suffix1.

### Nearby entries

1. zinfandel, n. 1880–
2. zing, v. 1899–
3. zing, int. & n. 1875–
4. zingana, n.¹ 1883
5. zingana, n.² 1911–
6. Zingani, n. 1581–1879
7. Zingara, n. 1756–
8. Zingaro, n. 1600–
9. zingel, n. 1803–
10. zingelin perch, n. 1803
11. zinger, n.1906–
12. Zingg, n. 1941–
13. zingho, n. 1743
14. zingiber, n.?1720–
15. zingiberaceous, adj. 1821–
16. zingily, adv. 1951–
17. zinginess, n. 1938–
18. zinging, n. 1921–
19. zinging, adj. 1915–
20. zingingly, adv. 1952–
21. zingo, int. 1906–

## Etymology

### Summary

Formed within English, by derivation.
< zing v. + ‑er suffix1.

## Meaning & use

slang (originally U.S.).

1. 1.
   1906–
   Sport (originally Baseball). A ball thrown or hit hard and fast.
   1. 1906

      > Then Sling slammed a zinger across the outside corner.

      Inlander 25 April 10/1
   2. 1975

      > Carlton hit a zinger, but Lopes somehow managed to glove the ball and turn it into a doubleplay.

      Courier-Post (Camden, New Jersey) 14 August 53/6
   3. 1996

      > Then came another zinger on the inside corner... The ump called it a ball.

      J. Davidson in W. Humber & J. St James, All I thought about was Baseball 74
   4. 2017

      > Every time Laura hits a zinger down the line and I can't get to it, I think, That's my doubles partner, that's awesome.

      Advocate-Messenger (Danville, Kentucky) 13 May b9
   baseball U.S. English colloquial and slang
2. 1. 2.a.
      1954–
      A question or remark designed to surprise or disorientate; an unexpected turn of events, a plot twist.
      1. 1954

         > The payoff is this zinger: some of the stud bosses are so desperate and the going is so tough that they're eying the scribe sheets to pick up on a possible slave.

         New York Amsterdam News 20 March 17/2
      2. 1973

         > I would drone along..asking tired questions... Then I would throw in the zinger and watch what happened.

         R. Thomas, If you can't be Good (1974) vii. 51
      3. 1976

         > There's a zinger toward the end, in which the nominal hit man gets hit, but it doesn't really compensate for the tedium the reader's gone through.

         Publishers Weekly 2 February 91/1
      4. 2018

         > Someone might throw you a zinger or make demands of you or surprise you in some way.

         Postmedia Breaking News (Nexis) 20 November
      U.S. English colloquial and slang
      1. catch 1674–93
         A question or statement designed to trick or deceive. Cf. catch question, n. Obsolete.
      2. catch question 1836–
         A question that is intended to catch a person out, typically one to which there is no correct answer, or which leads the respondent to give an…
      3. trick question 1939–
         A question designed to elicit more information than it appears to on the surface, or to trick the respondent into giving a wrong answer.
      4. zinger 1954–
         A question or remark designed to surprise or disorientate; an unexpected turn of events, a plot twist.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. zinger 1954–
         A question or remark designed to surprise or disorientate; an unexpected turn of events, a plot twist.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. plot twist 1920–
         An unexpected turn of events in a work of fiction, etc.; = twist, n.¹ III.21c.
      2. twist 1941–
         figurative. An unexpected development of events, esp. in a work of fiction; a change from usual procedure.
      3. zinger 1954–
         A question or remark designed to surprise or disorientate; an unexpected turn of events, a plot twist.
      4. twisteroo 1963–
         (A narrative with) an unexpected twist.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 2.b.
      1970–
      A pointed or amusing remark, esp. one intended to humiliate or criticize; a quick-witted remark or observation, a wisecrack, esp. an effective one.
      1. 1970

         > Ann-Margret is giving him a hard time on the home front, too, tossing out little zingers about his advancing age.

         Time 12 October 7
      2. 1979

         > One more zinger about my height, and I shall be compelled to thrash you mercilessly.

         Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 31 March 76 (caption)
      3. 2012

         > For someone who didn't have a mean bone in his body, he tended to land some zingers.

         K. Cole, Poison Princess ii. 16
      4. 2018

         > Packed with zingers, it's also a showcase for Moore's talent as a one-liner man.

         i (Nexis) 20 November 43
      U.S. English colloquial and slang
      1. boffo 1934–
         In the entertainment industry: a joke, punch-line, or piece of comic business, esp. one that elicits uproarious or unrestrained laughter. Hence: a…
      2. payoff line 1934–
         The punchline or dénouement of a joke, story, etc.
      3. zinger 1970–
         A pointed or amusing remark, esp. one intended to humiliate or criticize; a quick-witted remark or observation, a wisecrack, esp. an effective one.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
3. 3.
   1955–
   Something which is a remarkable, exciting, or excellent example of its kind. Frequently in a zinger of a ——.
   1. 1955

      > I don't know why it was such a zinger, unless it was that it was very big and very cheap.

      M. Allingham, Beckoning Lady vi. 99
   2. 1968

      > I think every actress needs one zinger of a part early in her career.

      Times 30 May 10
   3. 1973

      > A zinger of a novel.

      New York Times Book Review 4 November 79 (caption)
   4. 1980

      > My private collection was becoming what an American friend..described as a ‘zinger’.

      R. Adams, Girl in Swing v. 63
   5. 2019

      > A joyous female-centric update of a genre that's not really had a zinger of a mainstream film since Superbad.

      Scotsman (Nexis) 23 May
   U.S. English colloquial and slang
   1. star Old English–
      figurative and in figurative contexts. A person or thing likened to a star, esp. one considered as a source of inspiration or enlightenment.
   2. dainty 1340–1798
      concrete. Something considered precious, pleasing, or delightful; (hence occasionally) a luxury, a rarity (cf. dainty, adj. 2). Obsolete except as…
   3. daisy c1485–1605
      As a term of admiration. Obsolete.
   4. say-piece 1535–1824
      A trial specimen; a sample; esp. a test piece made by a craftsman and submitted to a guild or corporation as proof of his competence to be admitted…
   5. bravery 1583–1657
      A thing of beauty or interest, a thing to exhibit. Obsolete.
   6. paragon 1585–
      An object of outstanding quality or value; an object which serves as a model of some quality.
   7. daint 1633
      = dainty, n.
   8. rapper 1653–
      A remarkably good or large example of something; a person who excels in an activity. Cf. rapping, adj. 2. Now English regional (Yorkshire).
   9. supernaculum 1704–
      A drink to be consumed to the last drop; a wine of the highest quality. Frequently (and in earliest use) figurative: anything excellent of its…
   10. dandy 1785–
       slang or colloquial. Anything superlatively fine, neat, or dainty; esp. in the dandy (now usually a dandy), ‘the correct thing’, ‘the ticket’. Also…
   11. roarer 1813–82
       U.S. slang. A remarkable or outstanding person; a person (occasionally a thing) regarded as superlative or notable. See also ring-tailed roarer at r…
   12. sneezer 1823–
       In various slang, colloquial, or dialect senses. Something exceptionally good, great, strong, violent, etc., in some respect (cf. quots.).
   13. plum 1825–
       slang. More generally: any desirable thing, a coveted prize; the pick of a collection of things; one of the best things in a book, piece of music…
   14. trimmer 1827–
       One who or that which trims or trounces (see trim, v. II.10); a stiff competitor, fighter, etc.; a slasher; a stiff letter, article, bout, run…
   15. sockdolager 1838–
       Something exceptional in any respect, esp. a large fish.
   16. rasper 1844–
       slang. Anything remarkable or extraordinary; (now) esp. (Sport) a powerful, fast-moving shot or ball.
   17. dinger 1861–
       colloquial (chiefly U.S. and (now esp.) Irish English). An impressive or exceptional thing or (less commonly) person; something superlative of…
   18. job 1863–
       colloquial (originally U.S.). Chiefly with modifying word. A thing of a type specified or evident from the context, esp. something manufactured or…
   19. fizzer 1866–
       slang. Anything excellent or first-rate.
   20. champagne 1880–
       figurative. Something likened to champagne in being excellent or exhilarating.
   21. beauty 1882–
       colloquial. An exceptionally good, impressive, or (ironically) egregious example of something. Also in a beauty of a —. Cf. beaut, n. A.2.
   22. pie 1884–1902
       colloquial (originally U.S.). Something very pleasant or pleasurable to deal with; something to be eagerly appropriated; a prize, a treat. Obsolete.
   23. smasher 1894–
       slang. Anything uncommon, extraordinary, or unusual, esp. unusually large or excellent.
   24. crackerjack 1895–
       Something that is exceptionally fine or splendid. Also, a person who is exceptionally skilful or expert.
   25. Taj Mahal 1895–
       The name of a mausoleum built at Agra by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife known as Mumtaz (Persian… figurative denoting that which is excellent or…
   26. beaut 1896–
       A beautiful or impressive thing or animal. Also: an outstanding or (ironically) egregious example of something (cf. beauty, n. II.5d).
   27. pearler 1901–
       = purler, n. 2.
   28. lollapalooza 1904–
       Something outstandingly good of its kind.
   29. bearcat 1909–
       colloquial (originally and chiefly U.S.). A formidable, powerful, or impressive thing; a remarkable or excellent example of its kind. Frequently with…
   30. beaner 1911–
       An impressive or excellent thing; an outstanding example of its kind. Now rare.
   31. grande dame 1915–
       figurative. Something considered prestigious, venerable, or pre-eminent in a particular sphere (frequently with an accompanying sense of respect and…
   32. Rolls-Royce 1916–
       With of. Any product considered to be the highest quality or best example of its type or field.
   33. the nuts 1917–
       In plural. slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). the nuts: an excellent or first-rate person or thing; (Cards) an unbeatable hand.
   34. pipperoo 1939–
       A particularly remarkable or pleasing person or thing. Cf. pip, n.² 3, pippin, n. 3b.
   35. rubydazzler 1941–
       Something exceptionally fine; cf. bobby-dazzler, n.
   36. rumpty 1941–
       An excellent person or thing.
   37. rumptydooler 1941–
       An excellent person or thing. Also as adj. Cf. rumpty, adj. & n.³
   38. snodger 1941–
       Excellent, very good, first-rate. Also as adv. and n.
   39. sockeroo 1942–
       Something with an overwhelming impact, a ‘smash’.
   40. sweetheart 1942–
       North American. Anything especially good of its kind. Cf. honey, n. A.II.6a.
   41. zinger 1955–
       Something which is a remarkable, exciting, or excellent example of its kind. Frequently in a zinger of a ——.
   42. blue-chipper 1957–
       Something of great quality.
   43. ring-a-ding 1959–
       A superb or excellent thing; a remarkable example of something.
   44. premier cru 1965–
       A growth or vineyard that produces wine of a superior grade; the wine itself. Also in extended use and figurative. Cf. cru, n., growth, n.¹ 1d and…
   45. sharpie 1970–
       North American colloquial. That which is smart or in good condition. Used esp. of cars. Cf. sharp, adj. A.7a, A.1c; sharp, n.¹ B.13.
   46. ball-tearer 1973–
       A source of exasperation or dismay; something outstanding of its kind.
   47. stormer 1978–
       U.K. slang. Something of surpassing size, vigour, or excellence.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɪŋə/
ZING-uh

### U.S. English

/ˈzɪŋər/
ZING-uhr

####

##### 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

zinger typically occurs about 0.04 times per million words in modern written English.

zinger is in frequency band 3, which contains words occurring between 0.01 and 0.1 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 zinger, n., 1950–2010

* 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
--- | ---
1950 | 0.015
1960 | 0.023
1970 | 0.029
1980 | 0.034
1990 | 0.039
2000 | 0.046
2010 | 0.053

### Frequency of zinger, n., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

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 corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 0.26
2018 | 0.25
2019 | 0.24
2020 | 0.24
2021 | 0.24
2022 | 0.23
2023 | 0.23
2024 | 0.24

zinger, n. was revised in March 2021.

zinger, n. was last modified in July 2023.