Zeppelinnoun
Meaning & use
Now chiefly historical.
- 1.1896–In full Zeppelin airship. A large German dirigible airship of the early 20th cent., long and cylindrical in shape and with a rigid framework. Also more generally: an airship. Cf. Zepp n.Zeppelins were used for reconnaissance and bombing during the First World War (1914–18), and as passenger transports both briefly before the war and then until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.
- 1896
The Zeppelin air ship is described as a cigar-shaped vessel, which can be steered upward and downward, right and left, forward and backward, under practically every condition presented by the atmosphere.
Washington Post 14 February 6/2 - 1908
The Zeppelin..circled down and grounded in Prospect Park, in order to land the wounded.
, War in Air viii. 258 - 1914
A Zeppelin has dropped bombs on Antwerp.
in Country Gentleman & Land & Water 12 September 15*/1 - 1934
Frankfurt is said to have been described by Dr. Eckener as the best airport for Zeppelins in Germany.
Times 29 December 9/4 - 1971
He flies airplanes, gliders, balloons, zeppelins, and space vehicles.
, Culture in Crisis iii. 30 - 2006
Perhaps it was only one of a stream of incendiary bullets which found the gas-bag to bring a Zeppelin down in flames.
Western Morning News (Plymouth) (Nexis) 8 August 8
- 2.1915–slang (chiefly Military in early use). A sausage. Usually in Zeppelins in a cloud and variants: sausage and mash. Cf. Zepp n. 2.
- [1909
‘Give me two sausages and mashed, waiter, and plenty of gravy..’ The polite waiter applied himself to the speaking tube: ‘Two Zeppelin airships on a cloud!’ he bellowed down, ‘and make zem rainy!’
Arrow (Sydney) 18 September 16/4] - 1915
[Report from London correspondent] If you happened to be a waiter or a waitress, and a customer asked for ‘two Zeppelins on a snow-cloud’, I wonder what you would get for him.
Leader (Orange, New South Wales) 13 April - 1916
They [sc. seamen in the British Navy] apply to the various dishes such quaint names as ‘schooner on a rock’, ‘a straight rush’, or ‘Zeppelins in a cloud’.
Daily News (Perth, Western Australia) 23 June 8/7 - 1929
Zeppelins in a Fog, the modern naval name for sausages and mashed potatoes.
, Sea Slang 154 - 1970
Zeppelins, Railway Canteen sausages.
, Glossary of Railwaymen's Talk 35 - 1995
A supper of sausages and mash, referred to these days as zeppelins in a cloud.
, Echoes of Yesterday i. ix. 117