zithttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zit_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezit, n.
Revised 2021

zitnoun

slang (originally U.S.).
  1. 1.
    1912–
    Chiefly U.S. (south-western). A man's facial hair, spec. a type of small, neat moustache. Chiefly in plural with singular agreement, esp. in form zitz.
    The word is attested earliest in the context of a game, known as zits, in which players accumulated points by spotting men with different types of facial hair, a higher value being accorded to particularly long or unusual styles (cf. quot. 1912).
    1. 1912
      Ten point zit.
      Los Angeles Evening Herald 30 July (Last edition) 2/3 (caption)
    2. 1925
      Mack's ‘brush’ was that famous mustache which at one time was the only competitor in popular laugh-interest to Charlie's [sc. Charlie Chaplin]zitz’.
      Madera (California) Mercury 11 September 2/5
    3. 1971
      [He] had a zitz mustache and there was a brief case in his baggage.
      N. Cleaveland & G. Fitzpatrick, Morleys 32
  2. 2.
    1965–
    A small, inflamed spot on the skin; a pimple. Also figurative.
    Now the main sense.
    1. 1965
      Zits’ Blitz!—Acne ‘sitz’ (pimples) disappear like magic with constant use of the Alphacene twins—Cleanser & Treatment, the newest, most complete treatment available today for acne and acne pimples.
      Sacramento (California) Bee 17 July a4/8 (advertisement)
    2. 1966
      Last Easter he brought me a big chocolate bunny and I had zits for three weeks.
      Oakland (California) Tribune 9 April b6
    3. 1986
      To know that one of the anarchist icons had her share of emotional zits and warts was very comforting.
      Open Road Spring 8/3
    4. 1989
      The years of zits finally did disappear and we entered that wild and free period of exploration that comes with leaving school.
      Canberra Times 4 July 19/4
    5. 2011
      I think I'm getting a zit. Right on the end of my nose as well.
      Y. Edwards, Cupboard Full of Coats iv. 76
  3. 3.
    1966–
    An unpleasant or dirty mark or stain. Now rare.
    It is unclear whether quot. 1966 is a figurative use of sense 2, or conversely whether sense 2 is a specific example of the sense described in quot. 1966.
    1. 1966
      Zit, something bad or unpleasant... What's that zit on your coat?
      Current Slang (University South Dakota) Summer 5
    2. 1977
      Zit n, reddish mark caused by kissing. ‘She has a big zit on her neck.’
      American Speech 1975 vol. 50 69

zit, n. was revised in March 2021.

zit, n. was last modified in June 2025.