ziggety, int., adj., & adv.

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

# ziggetyinterjection, adjective, & adverb

## Earlier version

- ziggety, int., a., and adv. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the word ziggety mean?

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

This word is used in U.S. English.

#### 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 word ziggety?

Fewer than 0.01occurrences per million words in modern written English

1920 | 0.0009
1930 | 0.0008
1940 | 0.0006
1950 | 0.0006
1960 | 0.0006
1970 | 0.0005
1980 | 0.0004
1990 | 0.0004
2000 | 0.0004
2010 | 0.0004

### How is the word ziggety pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɪɡᵻti/
ZIG-uh-tee

#### U.S. English

/ˈzɪɡᵻdi/
ZIG-uh-dee

### Where does the word ziggety come from?

Earliest known use

1920s

The earliest known use of the word ziggety is in the 1920s.

OED's earliest evidence for ziggety is from 1924, in Dialect Notes.

ziggety is apparently a variant or alteration of another lexical item.

Etymons: hot diggety int.

### Nearby entries

1. Ziegler, n. 1957–
2. Ziegler-Natta, n. 1965–
3. Ziehl, n. 1892–
4. Ziehl-Neelsen, n. 1892–
5. ziff, n. 1917–
6. ZIFT, n. 1988–
7. zig, n. 1978–
8. zig, v. 1969–
9. Zigeuner, n. & adj. 1802–
10. Zigeunerin, n. 1845–83
11. ziggety, int., adj., & adv.1924–
12. ziggurat, n. 1873–
13. zigzag, n., adj., & adv. 1712–
14. zigzag, v. 1777–
15. zigzag connection, n. 1922–
16. zigzagged, adj. 1774–
17. zigzaggery, n. 1761–
18. zigzaggy, adj. a1845–
19. zigzag machine, n. 1952–
20. zigzag trefoil, n. 1796–
21. zig-zig, n. 1918–

## Etymology

### Summary

Apparently a variant or alteration of another lexical item.
Etymon: hot diggety int.
Apparently variant of (hot) diggety: see hot diggety int.

## Meaning & use

slang (originally and chiefly U.S.).

1. 1.
   1924–
   int. Usually preceded by hot and followed by dog or another monosyllable: = hot diggety int.
   1. 1924

      > I'll be damned, hot ziggety damn.

      Dialect Notes vol. 5 265
   2. 1926

      > Hot ziggetty dog, expressing unlimited admiration.

      G. H. Maines & B. Grant, Wise-crack Dictionary 9/2
   3. 1933

      > Hot ziggity zig!

      ‘R. James’, Worth Remembering iii. 62
   4. 1942

      > Hot ziggety! hot ziggety damn! or darn! hot ziggety dog!

      L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark, American Thesaurus of Slang §277/7
   5. 1944

      > ‘Ziggetty!’ he said.

      M. Shulman, Feather Merchants xiii. 78
   6. 1950

      > Oh, hefty ziggety door knobs!

      A. Buckeridge, Jennings goes to School viii. 155
   7. 1961

      > ‘Hot ziggety,’ said an old American. ‘That's six grand I made.’

      R. Longrigg, Daughters of Mulberry viii. 97
   8. 1984

      > Mr. Deforest entered with his face bright, his hands folded behind him. ‘Well, hot ziggetty, a holiday for me. What have we got going here?’

      New Yorker 21 May 46/1
   U.S. English colloquial and slang
   1. how Old English–1850
      As an exclamation of surprise or astonishment; = what, int. C.2a. Obsolete (archaic in later use).
   2. well, well Old English–
      Reduplicated. Expressing surprise, anticipation, resignation, or acquiescence. well, well. Also well, well, well.
   3. what Old English–
      As an exclamation of surprise or astonishment (sometimes mixed with indignation). Usually followed by a question.
   4. why Old English–
      As an expression of surprise (sometimes only momentary or slight; sometimes involving protest), either in reply to a remark or question, or on…
   5. avoy c1300–1400
      Exclamation of surprise, fear, remonstrance.
   6. ou c1300–
      Expressing surprise, excitement, or a similar emotion; = oh, int. ou aye: ‘yes indeed’, ‘oh yes’ (in concessive sense).
   7. ay 1340–
      Expressing earnestness, surprise, wonder, etc. Now chiefly English regional (northern) and Scottish.
   8. lord a1393–
      Expressing surprise, emphasis, dismay, etc. Cf. law, int., Lawd, int., Lor, int., lud, int.
   9. aha a1400–
      Expressing triumph, satisfaction, realization, discovery, or (now rarely) mockery or irony. Cf. ah, int. A.3, A.4, ha, int. A.1b.
   10. hilla hail a1400–1513
       Probably: = ill hail at hail, n.² A.2 (as an exclamation).
   11. whannow c1450–1500
       What! I say! Come, come!
   12. wow 1513–
       Chiefly Scottish. An exclamation, variously expressing aversion, surprise or admiration, sorrow or commiseration, or mere asseveration.
   13. heyday a1529–
       An exclamation denoting frolicsomeness, gaiety, surprise, wonder, etc.
   14. ah 1538–
       Expressing pleasure, surprise, wonder, or admiration.
   15. ah me! a1547–
       In various exclamatory uses, without definite syntactical relation to the context. In interjectional phrases, as ah me! (see ah, int. A.2a, A.4), dea…
   16. ay me a1547–
       Used to express grief, pity, regret, etc. Cf. alas, int. A.1.
   17. fore me! a1547–
       In various exclamatory uses, without definite syntactical relation to the context. In interjectional phrases, as ah me! (see ah, int. A.2a, A.4), dea…
   18. o me! a1547–
       In various exclamatory uses, without definite syntactical relation to the context. In interjectional phrases, as ah me! (see ah, int. A.2a, A.4), dea…
   19. Gods me 1570–
       With contraction of save (cf. save, v. phrases P.2c), as †Gods me, †Gods my bones, Gods my life, etc. Cf. God sa' me at sa', v. Now archaic.
   20. what the (also a) goodyear 1570–1822
       In exclamations and imprecations, apparently as a euphemism for devil. In various exclamations expressing surprise, annoyance, impatience, or…
   21. precious coals 1576–
       Used as an exclamation or oath (cf. precious, adj. A.1b).
   22. Lord have mercy (on us) 1581–
       Expressing surprise, dismay, etc. Also in Lord-a-mercy and other contracted forms (cf. God-a-mercy, int. A.1a).
   23. good heavens 1588–
       Chiefly in plural. In exclamations expressing surprise, horror, excitement, etc. Frequently with intensifying adjective, as good heavens, gracious he…
   24. whau 1589–
       Well! Why! Also = wah, int.¹ & n.¹
   25. coads 1590–1619
       An obsolete exclamation of surprise.
   26. my stars! a1593–
       my stars! and variants. Now archaic.
   27. law 1598–
       Expressing surprise, emphasis, dismay, etc.; (in early use) expressing emphatic confirmation of a statement. Sometimes with I, me, you, etc. (cf. l…
   28. Godso 1600–1777
       Used as an exclamation or oath expressing surprise or affirmation.
   29. to go out 1600
       intransitive. imperative. In form gout. Expressing dismissal, impatience, derision, incredulity, or surprise. Cf. to go on 3b at phrasal verbs I.3b…
   30. coads-nigs 1608
   31. for mercy! a1616
       for mercy! Obsolete. rare.
   32. good stars! 1615–1851
       good stars! and variants. Cf. good heavens at heaven, n. phrases P.3b. Obsolete.
   33. mercy on us (also me, etc.)! a1616–
       mercy on us (also me, etc.)!
   34. gramercy 1617–
       ? Used as an exclamation of surprise or sudden feeling; = ‘mercy on us!’
   35. goodness 1623–
       In exclamations expressing entreaty or remonstrance, as †for goodness, for goodness' sake, in the name of goodness, etc. Cf. pity, n. I.2c.
   36. what next? 1662–
       colloquial. what next?: ‘what is next?’ ‘what can be next?’ Also whatever next?
   37. mon Dieu 1665–
       ‘My God!’ Cf. god, n. & int.phrases P.1e.
   38. heugh 1668–
       An exclamation of surprise; hollo! (Cf. hewgh, int., whew, int.)
   39. criminy 1681–
       Expressing surprise. Also by criminy! Cf. crikey, int.; Gemini, n. 4.
   40. Lawd 1696–
       Expressing surprise, emphasis, dismay, etc.; = lord, int.
   41. the dickens 1697–
       (oh) the dickens!: used as an interjection expressing surprise, irritation, exasperation, etc. Now archaic and rare.
   42. (God, etc.) bless my heart 1704–
       (God, etc.) bless my heart (see bless, v.¹ A.IV.9): used as an exclamation to express surprise, alarm, etc.
   43. alackaday 1705
       alack the day: used to express grief, concern, or regret at the events of a particular day; (later more generally) used to express surprise or dismay…
   44. (for) mercy's sake! 1707–
       (for) mercy's sake!. Also in variants (chiefly U.S. regional), as mercy sakes, a mercy's name, etc.
   45. my 1707–
       Expressing surprise or admiration. Also oh, my!
   46. deuce 1710–
       As an expression of incredulous surprise; also, as an emphatic negative, as in (the) deuce a bit!, etc. (Cf. plague, n., sorrow, n., the devil a bit…
   47. gracious 1712–
       In various exclamatory phrases expressing surprise, dismay, remonstration, or entreaty, often as a euphemism for God (cf. god, n. & int.phrases…
   48. goodly and gracious 1713–44
       goodly and gracious: used as an exclamatory phrase expressing pleasant surprise. Cf. goodness gracious at goodness, n. phrases P.1b, gracious, adj.…
   49. my word 1722–
       my word (esp. as an exclamation) = upon my word at phrases P.1g.ii.ii.
   50. my stars and garters! 1758–
       my stars and garters! and variants. Cf. sense II.10b and garter, n. 2.
   51. lawks a1774–
       = Lord! Also lawk-a-daisy (me) and as noun = lackadaisy, int. lawk-a-mercy (-mussy) = Lord have mercy!; also as v. = to cry ‘Lawk-a-mercy!’, and as…
   52. losh a1779–
       = lord, n. & int., used in certain exclamations.
   53. Lord bless me (also you, us, etc.) 1784
       Lord bless me (also you, us, etc.): expressing surprise, reproach, etc.
   54. great guns! 1795–
       great guns!: used as an exclamation expressing surprise or disbelief.
   55. mein Gott 1795–
       Frequently in representations of German speech: = my God at god, n. & int.phrases P.1e.i.
   56. Dear me! 1805–
       Dear!, Oh dear!, Dear, dear!, Dear me!: exclamations expressing surprise, astonishment, anxiety, distress, regret, sympathy, or other emotion. dear…
   57. fancy 1813–
       transitive. In colloquial use often in the imperative as an exclamation of surprise. Also absol.
   58. well, I'm sure! 1815–
       well, I'm sure!: used as an exclamation of surprise. Now rare.
   59. massy 1817–
       In various exclamations (chiefly as int.): ‘mercy!’ (expressing surprise, disapproval, etc.). See mercy, int.
   60. Dear, dear! 1818–
       Dear!, Oh dear!, Dear, dear!, Dear me!: exclamations expressing surprise, astonishment, anxiety, distress, regret, sympathy, or other emotion. dear…
   61. to get off 1818–
       intransitive. In imperative. colloquial. Used as an exclamation expressing impatience or incredulity; = to get away 1b(b) at phrasal verbs 1b.ii.
   62. laws 1824–
       Expressing surprise, emphasis, dismay, etc.; = lord, int.
   63. Mamma mia 1824–
       Expressing surprise, astonishment, or approval. Also as n.
   64. by crikey 1826–
       Expressing surprise. Also by crikey. Cf. gosh, n.
   65. wisha 1826–
       An exclamation indicating dismay, emphasis, or surprise.
   66. alleleu 1829–
       Originally and chiefly Irish English. Expressing distress, horror, surprise, etc. Cf. pillaloo, int.
   67. crackey 1830–
       = crikey, int.
   68. Madonna mia 1830–
       An exclamation of surprise or strong emotion.
   69. indeed 1834–
       As an interjection, expressing (according to the intonation) irony, contempt, amazement, incredulity, or the like.
   70. to go on 1835–
       intransitive. imperative. Expressing (playful) impatience or dismissiveness, or (mock) disbelief, derision, etc.: ‘get away’. Also in go on with you…
   71. snakes 1839–
       In plural as an exclamation, esp. great snakes!
   72. Jerusalem 1840–
       Used as an exclamation, usually of surprise.
   73. sapristi 1840–
       An exclamation of astonishment, exasperation, etc.; a mild oath.
   74. oh my days 1841–
       colloquial (now chiefly British). oh my days: used as an exclamation expressing surprise, disbelief, excitement, etc. Also (and earliest) my days.
   75. tear and ages 1841–
       An act of tearing, in senses II.8 and II.9 of the verb. Here may belong the Irish interjectional phr. tear and ages (? aches), tear and wounds…
   76. what (why, etc.) in time? 1844–
       U.S. regional (chiefly New England). Used to intensify an interrogative word or phrase, as what (why, etc.) in time?: what (etc.) in the world?…
   77. sakes alive! 1846–
       sakes alive! and simply sakes!: an exclamation expressing surprise. dialect and U.S.
   78. gee willikers 1847–
       Expressing any of a number of feelings or emotions, esp. surprise, enthusiasm, or exasperation. Also used for emphasis. Cf. gee, int.² Now dated…
   79. to get away 1847–
       In imperative. Also in get away with you (now rare). colloquial (chiefly British). As an expression of astonishment or incredulity: ‘go on’, you…
   80. well, to be sure! 1847–
       As a sentence adverbial: (in affirmative use) for a certainty; certainly, undoubtedly, of course; (in concessive use) it must be admitted, indeed…
   81. gee 1851–
       Expressing any of a number of feelings or emotions, esp. surprise, enthusiasm, or exasperation. Also used for emphasis. Also (esp. in earlier use)…
   82. Great Scott 1852–
       Expressing surprise, amazement, annoyance, admiration, etc.
   83. holy mackerel! 1855–
       Used trivially. Used with a following word as an oath or expletive, as holy cow! int., holy Moses! int., holy smoke! int., holy mackerel! int., holy…
   84. doggone 1857–
       As an expression of surprise, impatience, etc.: ‘damn!’, ‘damn it’.
   85. lawsy 1868–
       Expressing surprise, emphasis, dismay, etc.; = lord, int.
   86. my wig(s)! 1871–
       Phrases. dash my wig(s) (colloquial), a mild imprecation (see dash, v.¹ I.11). my wig(s)! (colloquial) a meaningless expression of surprise, etc. w…
   87. gee whiz 1872–
       Expressing any of a number of feelings or emotions, esp. surprise, enthusiasm, or excitement. Also used for emphasis. Cf. gee, int.² Now somewhat…
   88. crimes 1874–
       = criminy, int. Cf. cripes, int.
   89. yoicks 1881–
       colloquial. An exclamation expressing surprise, astonishment, or fright; = yikes, int.
   90. Christmas 1882–
       Used as a mild expletive, expressing surprise, dismay, exasperation, etc. Cf. Christ, int.
   91. hully gee 1895–
       An exclamation of delight or surprise.
   92. 'ullo 1895–
       = hullo, int.
   93. my hat! 1899–
       my hat!: used as an exclamation expressing surprise or disbelief.
   94. good (also great) grief! 1900–
       Chiefly colloquial. to come to grief: to meet with disaster; (Sport) to have a fall; to fail, prove abortive; so to bring to grief. Also good (als…
   95. strike me pink! 1902–
       Colloquially used in jocular forms of imprecation, as strike me blind, dumb, lucky (if, but—), and various nonce-phrases. strike me pink! (slang): an…
   96. zowie 1902–
       An exclamation of astonishment (generally, or as a reaction to a sudden or surprising act), and frequently of admiration.
   97. hot diggety 1906–
       = hot diggety dog, int.
   98. oo-er 1909–
       An expression of surprise, dismay, titillation, etc.
   99. what do you know? 1909–
       colloquial (originally U.S.). what do you know?: used to express surprise (also what do you know about that?); also used parenthetically (cf. do you…
   100. cripes 1910–
        In the exclamation (by) cripes!: = Christ, n. & int.phrases P.1d.
   101. how about that? 1910–
        colloquial. how about ——?: used in asking for information or an opinion on something; (frequently also) used as a way of proposing or suggesting…
   102. coo 1911–
        An exclamation expressing surprise or incredulity. slang.
   103. can you tie that? 1918–
        North American. To match or equal (an existing record or score); colloquial phrases can you tie that?, tie that!, expressions of surprise or…
   104. yeow 1924–
        An exclamation of shock or pain.
   105. ziggety 1924–
        int. Usually preceded by hot and followed by dog or another monosyllable: = hot diggety, int.
   106. stone (or stiffen) the crows 1930–
        Colloquial phrase stone (or stiffen) the crows: an exclamation of surprise or disgust. Esp. Australian.
   107. hullo 1931–
        A call used to hail a person or to excite his or her attention. Also used in response to a telephone call and (frequently repeated) to express…
   108. tiens 1932–
        An expression of surprise.
   109. whammo 1932–
        = wham, n.² 2; an exclamation suggesting a sudden violent blow or surprising event, etc.
   110. po po po 1936–
        Expressing surprise, commiseration, indignation, etc.
   111. yikes 1940–
        An exclamation of astonishment, alarm, etc.
   112. hallo 1942–
        A shout or exclamation to call attention, or expressing some degree of surprise (e.g. on meeting someone unexpectedly). Cf. halloo, v. Frequently…
   113. brother 1945–
        Expressing surprise, excitement, appreciation, disbelief, etc., or used to give emphasis to a following statement. Frequently in oh brother!
   114. tie that! 1948–
        North American. To match or equal (an existing record or score); colloquial phrases can you tie that?, tie that!, expressions of surprise or…
   115. alamak 1952–
        Expressing surprise, shock, dismay, or outrage.
   116. surprise 1953–
        The feeling or emotion excited by something unexpected, or for which one is unprepared. As int.: surprise, surprise: an exclamation indicating…
   117. wowee 1963–
   118. orale 1973–
        Used to express surprise, awe, etc.: ‘wow!’, ‘gosh!’.
   119. never 1974–
        Expressing disbelief of or surprise at what has just been said. Also used ironically.
   120. to sod off 1976–
        intransitive. In imperative. As an expression of disbelief or scornful rejection of an assertion. Cf. to get away 1b(b) at get, v. phrasal verbs…
   121. whee 1978–
        An exclamation of joy, exhilaration, astonishment, etc. Occasionally as n., a high-pitched sound resembling this.
   122. mercy 1986–
        ‘Have mercy!’, ‘May God have mercy!’ (sometimes with qualification, as God's mercy!, etc., and in weakened use expressing surprise, fear, etc.).
   123. yipes 1989–
        An exclamation of fear, alarm, or dismay (also occasionally of excitement or surprise).
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. cock-a-hoop 1568
      As an exclamation of elation or great joy. Obsolete. rare.
   2. woo-hoo 1697–
      Used to express various emotions or reactions, such as surprise, grief, or (now usually) exuberant excitement or delight. Also used to attract…
   3. joy 1719–
      Used interjectionally, as an expression of joy.
   4. glory 1816–
      Used as a devout exclamation (short for Glory be to God) in the worship of various religious sects. Hence colloquial as a mere exclamation expressive…
   5. whizzo 1905–
      An exclamation expressing delight.
   6. hot diggety 1906–
      = hot diggety dog, int.
   7. whee 1920–
      An exclamation of joy, exhilaration, astonishment, etc. Occasionally as n., a high-pitched sound resembling this.
   8. ziggety 1924–
      int. Usually preceded by hot and followed by dog or another monosyllable: = hot diggety, int.
   9. whacko 1941–
      An exclamation of delight or excitement: Splendid! Excellent! Hurrah!
   10. yeehaw 1941–
       An exclamation of enthusiasm or exuberance; ‘yahoo!’.
   11. zip-a-dee-doo-dah 1945–
       Expressing delight, excitement, elation, etc. Now often ironic.
   12. cowabunga 1954–
       Expressing astonishment, enthusiasm, or exuberance; ‘yahoo!’ ‘wow!’ Now frequently humorous.
   13. yay 1963–
       An exclamation of triumph, approval, or encouragement.
   14. yahoo 1976–
       An exclamation of excitement, exultation, or delight. Cf. yo-ho, int. & n., yoo-hoo, int.
   15. wahey 1979–
       An exclamation expressing delight or exhilaration.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
2. 2.
   1935–
   adj. adv. = zigzag adj., zigzag adv. Also reduplicated, as ziggety-zaggety.
   1. 1935

      > He pursued a ziggedy course along the sidewalk.

      J. T. Farrell, Judgment Day ii. 25
   2. 1956

      > I had gone backwards to walk sideways, ziggety-zaggety.

      H. Gold, Man who was not with It (1965) xi. 86
   U.S. English colloquial and slang
   1. zigzag 1754–
      In a zigzag manner or direction.
   2. ziggety 1935–
      adj. & adv. = zigzag, adj., zigzag, adv. Also reduplicated, as ziggety-zaggety.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɪɡᵻti/
ZIG-uh-tee

### U.S. English

/ˈzɪɡᵻdi/
ZIG-uh-dee

####

##### 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

## Forms

### Variant forms

Also ziggedy, ziggetty, ziggity.

## Frequency

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

ziggety is in frequency band 1, which contains words occurring fewer than 0.001 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 ziggety, int., adj., & adv., 1920–2010

* 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
--- | ---
1920 | 0.0009
1930 | 0.0008
1940 | 0.0006
1950 | 0.0006
1960 | 0.0006
1970 | 0.0005
1980 | 0.0004
1990 | 0.0004
2000 | 0.0004
2010 | 0.0004

ziggety, int., adj., & adv. was first published in 1986; not fully revised.

ziggety, int., adj., & adv. was last modified in September 2024.