zig-zignoun
Factsheet
What does the noun zig-zig mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zig-zig. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, 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 noun zig-zig?
| 1910 | 0.001 |
| 1920 | 0.0014 |
| 1930 | 0.0014 |
| 1940 | 0.0013 |
| 1950 | 0.0013 |
| 1960 | 0.0013 |
| 1970 | 0.0014 |
| 1980 | 0.0015 |
| 1990 | 0.0012 |
| 2000 | 0.0012 |
| 2010 | 0.0013 |
How is the noun zig-zig pronounced?
British English
U.S. English
Where does the noun zig-zig come from?
Earliest known use
1910s
The earliest known use of the noun zig-zig is in the 1910s.
OED's earliest evidence for zig-zig is from 1918, in a diary entry by H. V. O'Brien.
zig-zig is a variant or alteration of another lexical item.
Etymons: jig-a-jig phr.
Nearby entries
- ziggety, int., adj., & adv.1924–
- ziggurat, n.1873–
- zigzag, n., adj., & adv.1712–
- zigzag, v.1777–
- zigzag connection, n.1922–
- zigzagged, adj.1774–
- zigzaggery, n.1761–
- zigzaggy, adj.a1845–
- zigzag machine, n.1952–
- zigzag trefoil, n.1796–
- zig-zig, n.1918–
- Zika, n.1952–
- Zilavka, n.1926–
- zilch, n. & adj.1925–
- zilch, v.1957–
- zill, n.1754–
- zilla, n.1772–
- -zilla, comb. form
- zilladar, n.1763–
- Zil lane, n.1985–
- zilla parishad, n.1957–
Etymology
Summary
Meaning & use
- 1918–
- 1918
Zig-zig—nothing else but.
H. V. O'Brien, Diary 30 January in Wine, Women & War (1926) 18 - 1930
Zig-zig wif me?
in S. Longstreet, Canvas Falcons (1970) 271 - 1962
'Allo, baybee! Comment alley vooz—zigzig?
W. Robinson, Barbara (1964) 135
- moneOld English–1425Sexual intercourse. man's mone: intercourse with a man. Cf. ymone, n. 1.
- ymoneOld English–1350Sexual intercourse.
- meanc1175–1450Intercourse, fellowship; spec. sexual intercourse.
- manredc1275In extended use: sexual submission. Obsolete. rare.
- swivinga1300–
- couplec1320–1611Union or coupling in matrimony; the bond of wedlock; sexual union. Obsolete.
- companyc1330–Sexual intercourse. Now archaic and rare.
- fellowred1340–1400Sexual intercourse. Sometimes modified by fleshly.
- the service of Venusc1350–figurative. See also sense III.16e. Specifically with reference to sexual activity, e.g. in †the flesh's service, the service of Venus, Venus's se…
- miskissinga1387Improper kissing.
- fellowshipc1390–Sexual intercourse; sexual relations. Sometimes with modifying word, as fleshly fellowship, carnal fellowship.
- meddlinga1398–1603(The action of having) sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
- carnal knowinga1400–= knowledge, n. II.3c. Usually with preceding adjective, as carnal knowing, etc. Now rare.
- flesha1400–In euphemistic phrases with reference to sexual intercourse.
- knowledgea1400–Sexual intercourse; (occasionally more generally) sexual intimacy. Frequently with of. Cf. know, v. II.8. Now rare except with preceding adjective.
- knowledginga1400–50Sexual intercourse.
- japec1400–1600With reference to sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
- commoning?c1425–50Sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
- couplingc1425–The pairing of the sexes; sexual union.
- commixtionc1429–1797Sexual intercourse; an act or instance of this. Cf. commixture, n. 2. Obsolete.
- itc1440–Sexual intercourse. Now colloquial. Cf. do, v. I.18.
- communicationc1450–Sexual intercourse. Chiefly (in later use only) with preceding specifying adjective, as carnal communication, etc.
- mellingc1480–1621Scottish in later use. Sexual intercourse; copulation. Obsolete.
- carnality1483–concrete. A carnal thing, action, etc.
- copulation1483–spec. (An act of) sexual intercourse.
- mixturea1500–1712Sexual intercourse, esp. unlawful or promiscuous union. Cf. mix, v. 3b. Obsolete.
- Venus act?1507–In sense I.2, as Venus act, Venus exercise, Venus life, Venus play, Venus work, etc.
- Venus exercise?1507–In sense I.2, as Venus act, Venus exercise, Venus life, Venus play, Venus work, etc.
- Venus play?1507–In sense I.2, as Venus act, Venus exercise, Venus life, Venus play, Venus work, etc.
- Venus work?1507–In sense I.2, as Venus act, Venus exercise, Venus life, Venus play, Venus work, etc.
- conversation?c1510–Sexual intercourse or intimacy.
- flesh-company1522Sexual intercourse.
- act?1532–euphemistic. With the. The act of procreation; sexual intercourse. Cf. in the act (of) at phrases P.1, act of love n. at phrases P.6.
- carnal knowledge1532–Sexual intercourse or intimacy.
- occupying?1544–The action of having sexual intercourse or relations; use or employment for sexual gratification; an act of sexual intercourse. archaic in later use.
- congression1546–1660Copulation, coition; = congress, n. 4. Obsolete.
- soil1555–1613Sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
- conjunction1567–1794spec. Sexual union, copulation. Obsolete.
- fucking1568–coarse slang. The action of fuck, v. 1; sexual intercourse.
- rem in re1568–Sexual intercourse; spec. (with the Latin phrase understood literally) sexual penetration.
- commixture1573–1875Sexual intercourse; an act or instance of this. Cf. commixtion, n. 3. Obsolete (rare in later use).
- coiture1574–1657= coition, n. 2.
- shaking of the sheets?1577–1700The name of a dance (in the 16–17th centuries very often used jocularly for sexual intercourse). Obsolete.
- cohabitation1579Sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
- congress1589–Sexual union, copulation, coition.
- union1598–Sexual intercourse; copulation. Now somewhat rare.
- embrace1599–The action of folding in the arms, of pressing to the bosom. (Sometimes euphemistically for sexual intercourse.)
- commerce1600–Sexual intercourse. Frequently with pejorative connotation of illicitness. Also more fully commerce of the sexes. Now archaic.
- love rites1600–Sexual intercourse, lovemaking.
- making-outa1601–
- rutting1600–Sexual intercourse; promiscuous or lecherous behaviour. rare between 17th and 20th centuries.
- noddy1602–slang. Sexual intercourse. rare after 17th cent.
- poop-noddy1606–Sexual intercourse.
- niggling1608–1723The action of niggle, v.¹
- conversinga1610–The action of converse, v.: having intercourse; discoursing, talking.
- Obsolete. rare.
- wapping1610
- businessa1612–euphemistic. Sexual intercourse, sex. Now usually with the.
- coition1615–Sexual conjunction, copulation.
- doinga1616–1869euphemistic. Sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
- amation1623–Sexual activity, sexual intercourse.
- beddinga1627Originally: the act of ceremonially taking a bride or putting a newly married couple to bed in order that the marriage be consummated (now archaic or…
- hot cocklesa1627–1727Sexual intercourse. Chiefly in to play at hot cockles: to have sexual intercourse; (perhaps also) to stimulate the genitals of a woman manually…
- other thing1628–a. euphemistic (with the) sexual activity, sexual intercourse; (also occasionally) the penis; cf. other, adj. B.II.10; b. to do the other thing collo…
- buck1632The action of buck, v.²
- act of love1638–(Usually with the) sexual intercourse; (also) an instance of this; cf. sense I.2d.
- commistion1658= commixture, n. Cf. commixtion, n.
- subagitation1658–Sexual activity, sexual intercourse; an instance of this.
- cuntc1664–coarse slang in later use. Sexual intercourse with a woman or women; women as a source of sexual gratification.
- shift1664–slang. Originally: sexual intercourse; an act or instance of this. Now chiefly Irish English: kissing; sexual activity which stops short of…
- coit1671–1766= coition, n. 2.
- intimacy1676–euphemistic for sexual intercourse.
- the last favour1676–Euphemistically. Formerly also the last favour (= French les dernières faveurs).
- quiffing1686–1796coarse slang. Obsolete. rare. Sexual intercourse, esp. had with or by a prostitute.
- old hat1697–slang. The vulva. Also: sexual intercourse; a woman regarded as a means of sexual gratification. Now archaic and rare.
- correspondence1698Sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
- frigging1708The action or practice of frig, v. (in various senses); an instance of this. In later use: esp. the action of masturbating.
- Moll Peatley1711–1801A dance in which the dancers hit elbows (see quot. 1801). In extended use (slang): sexual intercourse (also Moll Peatley's jig).
- coitus1713–= coition, n. 2 (in scientific writers, who also use the Latin phrase in coitu = in coition).
- sexual intercourse1753–Sexual relations or union between the sexes (in early use often with the), copulation, coition; (now esp.) intimate sexual contact between two…
- shagging1772–
- connection1791–Sexual relation or intercourse; a liaison.
- intercourse1803–Sexual connection.
- interunion1822–Mutual or reciprocal union; interblending; sexual union.
- greens1846–In plural. slang. Sexual activity, esp. intercourse.
- tail1846–slang. †(a) A prostitute (obsolete); (b) offensive women regarded collectively (by men) as a means of sexual gratification; sexual intercourse; a…
- copula1864–Sexual union.
- poking1864–coarse slang. Sexual intercourse.
- fuckeea1866–coarse slang. In (frequently disparaging) representations of pidgin English: sexual intercourse; an act of this.
- sex relation1871–The relation between the sexes, or an instance of this; spec. (usually in plural) = sexual relations, n.
- wantonizing1884–Wanton behaviour; esp. sexual activity, lovemaking; an instance of this.
- belly-flopping1893slang. Sexual intercourse. Obsolete. rare.
- twatting1893Sexual intercourse or activity. Obsolete. rare.
- mattress-jig1896–(An act of) sexual intercourse.
- sex1899–Physical contact between individuals involving sexual stimulation; sexual activity or behaviour, spec. sexual intercourse, copulation. to have sex (…
- fuckery1900–coarse slang. Sexual intercourse or sexual activity.
- screwing1904–spec. slang (originally U.S.). The action or an act of having sexual intercourse. Cf. screw, v. II.7b.
- jazz1918–U.S. slang. Sexual intercourse; an instance of this. Cf. jazz, v. 5, jazzing, n. 2. Now rare.
- zig-zig1918–= jig-a-jig, phr. 2.
- other1922–slang. Usually with the. Sexual activity; sexual intercourse. Chiefly in a bit of the other.
- booty1926–Sexual intercourse; a person (esp. a woman) regarded as an object of sexual ambition or desire. Also (occasionally): the female genitals. Cf. ass, n.²…
- pigmeat1926–Chiefly U.S. coarse slang. Sexual intercourse or gratification; a woman or girl regarded as a sexual object.
- jazzing1927–U.S. slang. Sexual intercourse. Now rare.
- poontang1927–slang (originally U.S. (southern), chiefly in African American usage). offensive. Sexual intercourse, sex; copulation.
- relations1927–In plural. Short for sexual relations, n. Frequently in to have relations.
- whoopee1928–Sexual intercourse. Cf. to make whoopee at phrases.
- nookie1930–Sexual intercourse.
- hump1931–Sexual intercourse; (hence) a woman who makes herself available for sexual intercourse. coarse slang.
- jig-a-jig1932–As n. In the sense ‘sexual intercourse’; also as v., to copulate. slang.
- homework1933–U.S. slang. Sexual activity, esp. with one's partner; sexual intercourse.
- quickie1933–Something produced, performed, or consumed quickly; spec. (a) an alcoholic drink taken quickly; (b) a hurried act of sexual intercourse.
- nasty1934–slang (euphemistic). Sexual intercourse. Now esp. in to do the nasty and variants: to have sexual intercourse; to copulate.
- jig-jig1935–As n. = jig-a-jig, phr. 2.
- crumpet1936–slang. Women regarded collectively as a means of sexual gratification; occasionally a woman; sexual intercourse. So a bit (or piece) of crumpet: a…
- pussy1937–coarse slang. Sexual intercourse with a woman.
- Sir Berkeley1937–In transferred uses, as Sir Harry, Sir Sydney, Sir Timothy (see quots.); Sir Berkeley n. coarse slang the female genital organs; hence transferred…
- pom-pom1945–Sexual intercourse, esp. with a prostitute. Also in to make pom-pom. Also: the female external genitals, the vulva.
- charvering1954–a. adj. Designating a prostitute (in charvering donna, charvering moll); b. n. sexual intercourse.
- mollocking1959–
- boning1966–slang (originally U.S.). An act of sexual intercourse; an act of penetration with the penis. Also as a mass noun. Cf. later bone, v.¹ 8.
- leg1967–slang (originally and chiefly U.S.) Sexual intercourse. Frequently in to get (off) some leg: (of a man) to have sexual intercourse.
- how's your father1968–euphemistic. Sexual activity; sexual intercourse. Chiefly in a bit of how's your father.
- rumpy-pumpy1968–Sexual intercourse.
- poon1969–slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). offensive. Sexual intercourse; = poontang, n. 1.
- shafting1971–
- home plate1972–slang (chiefly North American). The last of four notional stages of sexual activity, usually characterized as an act of sexual intercourse.
- pata-pata1977–slang. Sexual intercourse.
- freaky-deaky1980–Sexual intercourse or activity, esp. of a type regarded as unusual or unconventional. Frequently in to do the freaky deaky.
- bonking1985–slang (originally British). Sexual intercourse. Also occasionally as a count noun. Cf. bonk, v. 3.
- legover1985–Sexual activity; spec. sexual intercourse.
- hootchy-kootchy1986–slang. Sexual intercourse; (occasionally) sexual activity. Sometimes euphemistic.
- knobbing1986–British coarse slang. Sexual intercourse; an act of sexual intercourse. Cf. knob, v. 5.
- rumpo1986–= rumpy-pumpy, n.
- porking1988–(The action of having) sexual intercourse; an instance of this. Cf. pork, v. 3.
- fanny1993–coarse slang (originally and chiefly British). Women regarded as a source of sexual gratification. Also: sexual intercourse with a woman.
Pronunciation
British English
U.S. English
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
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
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
zig-zig typically occurs fewer than 0.01 times per million words in modern written English.
zig-zig 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 of zig-zig, n., 1910–2010
* 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 |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 0.001 |
| 1920 | 0.0014 |
| 1930 | 0.0014 |
| 1940 | 0.0013 |
| 1950 | 0.0013 |
| 1960 | 0.0013 |
| 1970 | 0.0014 |
| 1980 | 0.0015 |
| 1990 | 0.0012 |
| 2000 | 0.0012 |
| 2010 | 0.0013 |