zerkhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zerk_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezerk, n.
First published 2018

zerknoun

  1. I.
    Compounds.
    1. I.1.
      1926–
      attributive. Originally: designating a fitting designed by Oscar Zerk to allow lubrication to be applied directly to bearings or other moving parts of a machine, consisting of a small tapered nipple against which the nozzle of a grease gun is held by the pressure of the lubricant as it is administered. In later use: designating any fitting designed for this purpose.
      1. 1926
        All Zerk fittings, wheels, etc. greased.
        Marion (Ohio) Star 21 August 15/1 (advertisement)
      2. 1953
        Has swivel type tow bar, heavy duty industrial ball bearing 10x2.75 wheels with zerk grease fittings.
        Billboard 8 August 47/1 (advertisement)
      3. 1984
        Rims have zerk grease fittings for smooth, easy rotation.
        Sears, Roebuck Catalogue Spring–Summer 746/2
      4. 2011
        It is my understanding that the '07 models had ball joints without Zerk fittings to allow lubricating with a grease gun.
        Edmonton (Alberta) Journal (Nexis) 27 September d19
  2. II.
    Simple uses.
    1. II.2.
      1933–
      A zerk fitting.
      1. 1933
        New Zerks.
        Hutchinson (Kansas) News 27 June 9/1 (advertisement)
      2. 1970
        Can I drill and tap these [joints] for zerks?
        Popular Mechanics June 64/2
      3. 2015
        A fitting at the end of a..grease gun fits over the zerk to inject the lubricant.
        J. Erjavec & R. Thompson, Automotive Technology (ed. 6) viii. 203/1

zerk, n. was first published in June 2018.

zerk, n. was last modified in July 2023.