ziphttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zip_int%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezip, int. & n.¹
Revised 2021

zipinterjection & noun1

  1. interjection
    1. 1678–
      Representing a sharp whining, buzzing, or ripping sound such as that produced by a bullet or other object passing rapidly through the air; (hence) representing the sudden appearance or occurrence of something. Frequently reduplicated or in collocation with words representing other similar sounds.
      1. 1678
        It [sc. the Brasilian Tangara] is kept shut up in Cages, and cries, Zip, Zip [L. clamat zip, zip].
        J. Ray, translation of F. Willughby, Ornithology ii. 344
      2. 1867
        Dan threw the lantern light about, at the same time seizing his gun and cocking it... ‘Zip, bang!’
        Our Young Folks September 545
      3. 1930
        Suddenly—zip—his future telescoped, his traveling thoughts were snatched back to reality.
        S. Benson, Far-away Bride (1941) v. 63
      4. 1981
        Suddenly, zip, zip, zip, zip, a burst of Japanese machine-gun fire..slashed through the air under my hammock!
        E. B. Sledge, With Old Breed (1990) 154
      5. 2002
        Despite fireworks clearly being ridiculous, I'm one of those who can't get enough of them... I like the white ones that go zip, zip, zip bang.
        Courier Mail (Queensland, Australia) (Nexis) 30 December (Today section) 16
  2. noun
      1. 1.a.
        1850–
        A sharp whining, buzzing, or ripping sound such as that produced by a bullet or other object passing rapidly through the air; a movement accompanied by such a sound. Also reduplicated, as in zip-zip.
        1. 1850
          The leaden hail hurtled past his head, and cut the grass at his feet, with that peculiar ‘zip-zip’, so well remembered by the soldier, who has passed the ordeal of a battle!
          M. Reid, Rifle Rangers vol. II. xxiii. 207
        2. 1862
          Then would come the sharp zip of the bullet, and the fearful screech of the shot and shell.
          S. M. Weld, War Diary & Letters (1912) 134
        3. 1875
          The blood-thirsty zip of mosquitoes by the million.
          W. P. Fogg, Arabistan xxi. 264
        4. 1887
          The zip of the needle and swish of the thread went on.
          D. C. Murray in Good Words April 249
        5. 1920
          The vicious zip-zip of the bullets as they cut the grass at one's feet—or head.
          E. A. Edwards, From Doniphan to Verdun vi. 97
        6. 2010
          He ripped the tie from Bernado's neck with a loud zip. It was attached with Velcro.
          C. Gourlay, Tall Story (2011) vii. 121
      2. 1.b.
        1899–
        colloquial (originally U.S.). Energy, vigour; liveliness.
        1. 1899
          There was a zip and a zest to the Strauss waltz, the ever lovely ‘Blue Danube’.
          World (New York) 11 December 5/2
        2. 1900
          I need..a little more zest for my food, and a little more zip about my work.
          G. H. Lorimer, Old Gorgon Graham (1904) xi. 225
        3. 1959
          She's a chronic worrier—but only about clothes. Otherwise, she's full of vitality and full of zip.
          E. Head & J. K. Ardmore, Dress Doctor x. 139
        4. 2018
          His jumping lacked the zip we had seen at Chepstow.
          Racing Post (Nexis) 21 November
    1. 2.
      1925–
      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. Cf. zipper n. 2a, which is the more common term in North America.
      Such fasteners were first patented in the late 19th cent. and were formerly known as lightning fasteners; they became popular in the 1920s when they were used on overshoes sold under the brand name Zipper (see zipper n. 1 and quot. 1925 at zip fastener n.).
      1. 1925
        The women on the Avenue with their galoshes fastened by the ‘Zip’.
        E. O'Shaughnessy, Married Life 102
      2. 1940
        Miss Fisher used to wear some lovely plum-coloured trousers with a zip to match.
        Punch 5 June 612/2
      3. 1957
        There was too much messing about with buttons and zips and straps.
        J. Braine, Room at Top ix. 90
      4. 1969
        I lost marks in a dressmaking competition because the zipp was machine-stitched in.
        Homes & Gardens November 190/1
      5. 1986
        He stands over her, pulls his zip down.
        J. Cartwright, Road (1990) ii. 57 (stage direct.)
      6. 1995
        He..watched her wrestle with the zip of the tight red skirt.
        K. O'Riordan, Involved 20
      7. 2005
        Nancy..brought out a cheap fabric handbag with a broken zip.
        P. Masters, Plea of Insanity iv. 62
    2. 3.
      1989–
      Computing. Also in form ZIP and with preceding point. A file format (named with the file extension .zip) allowing compressed versions of files to be stored within a single archive file. Also (more fully zip file) an archive file of this format.
      1. 1989
        Disclaimer: I have no association with Phil Katz and/or PKWARE Inc., except as an enthusiastic supporter of the new ZIP file format.
        comp.sys.ibm.pc 1 February (Usenet usegroup, accessed 28 Sept. 2011)
      2. 1996
        This utility can come in handy after you download a file or when you're preparing to upload a .ZIP.
        Infoworld 1 July 90/3
      3. 2004
        Many games/programs are stored in .zip files, so you might need an archive manager like WinZip.
        Retro Gamer No. 10. 96/2
      4. 2011
        Alaattin later sent me an enormous zip file filled with photographs.
        New Yorker 7 March 61/3

zip, int. & n.¹ was revised in March 2021.

zip, int. & n.¹ was last modified in December 2024.