zip, int. & n.¹

zip
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zip_int%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2021

# zipinterjection & noun1

## Earlier version

- zip, n.¹ in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the word zip mean?

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

zip has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

building (1920s) computing (1980s)

### How common is the word zip?

About 1occurrence per million words in modern written English

1860 | 0.012
1870 | 0.017
1880 | 0.024
1890 | 0.035
1900 | 0.045
1910 | 0.055
1920 | 0.074
1930 | 0.1
1940 | 0.14
1950 | 0.18
1960 | 0.28
1970 | 0.49
1980 | 0.81
1990 | 1.1
2000 | 1.2
2010 | 1.2

### How is the word zip pronounced?

#### British English

/zɪp/
zip

#### U.S. English

/zɪp/
zip

### Where does the word zip come from?

Earliest known use

late 1600s

The earliest known use of the word zip is in the late 1600s.

OED's earliest evidence for zip is from 1678, in a translation by John Ray, naturalist and theologian.

zip is an imitative or expressive formation.

### Nearby entries

1. Zionistic, adj. 1887–
2. Zionite, n. 1596–
3. Zionless, adj. 1908
4. Zionward, adv. 1647–
5. Zionwards, adv. 1674–
6. zip, n.² & adj. 1900–
7. zip, n.³ 1962–
8. zip, n.⁴ 1968–
9. zip, v.¹ 1852–
10. zip, v.² 1964–
11. zip, int. & n.¹1678–
12. zip-a-dee-doo-dah, int. & adj. 1945–
13. zip code, n. 1962–
14. zip-code, v. 1962–
15. zip-coded, adj. 1963–
16. zip-coding, n. 1964–
17. zip coon, n. 1833–
18. zip cuff, n. 1995–
19. zip cuff, v. 1996–
20. Zipf, n. 1936–
21. zip fastener, n. 1925–

## Etymology

### Summary

An imitative or expressive formation.
Imitative…
Imitative.

### Notes

In sense B.2 shortened < zipper n. (compare sense 2a at that entry).
In sense B.3 with allusion to the speed of the associated software (compare sense A) and to the similarity of the manner in which the software packages data to the manner in which items may be packaged and zipped into a bag or container (compare sense B.2, and also zip v.1 2c).

## Meaning & use

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
      1. piff 1654–
         Representing the sound of a short, abrupt displacement or passage of air as caused by the flight of a bullet, a small explosion, an expression of…
      2. zip 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)…
      3. whizz 1812–
         An exclamation imitating the sound described under whizz, n.¹, whizz, v.; as adv. = with a whizz. Cf. gee whiz, int. & adj., whizz-bang, n. &…
      4. phit 1838–
         Representing various sounds, esp. of a short explosive nature, as the brief rapid expulsion of air, the sound made by a rifle bullet, etc. Also as n.…
      5. whee-oh 1915–
         Imitative of the cry of some birds, of a bullet whistling through the air.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
2. noun
   1. 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
         1. whither?a1505–
            A violent or impetuous movement, a rush; an attack, onset; a smart blow or stroke; a blast or gust of wind; a quivering movement, a tremble; a…
         2. whizzing 1607–
            The action or sound denoted by whizz, n.¹
         3. whizz 1620–
            An act, or the action, of whizzing; a sibilant sound somewhat less shrill than a hiss, and having a trace of musical tone like a buzz; a swift…
         4. whithering 1787–
            A rushing, whizzing, blustering.
         5. zip 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…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      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
         U.S. English colloquial and slang
         1. greenness Old English–
            Vigour or freshness of growth; vitality. Also figurative. Cf. green, adj. A.II.9. Now rare.
         2. lustiness c1325–
            Vigour, robustness; †energy, activity.
         3. force a1375–1816
            Physical strength, might, or vigour, as an attribute of living beings (occasionally of liquor). Rarely in plural (= French forces). Obsolete.
         4. vigour c1386–
            Active physical strength as an attribute or quality of living things; active force or power… In persons, animals, or their limbs.
         5. virr c1575–
            Force, vigour, energy.
         6. vigour 1602–
            Active physical strength as an attribute or quality of living things; active force or power… Const. of (life, etc.). Sometimes with implication of 2…
         7. nerve 1605–1874
            Strength, vigour, energy. Obsolete.
         8. vivacity 1649–1792
            transferred and figurative. Active force, power, vigour.
         9. vis 1650–
            Strength, force, energy, vigour.
         10. actuosity 1660–
             Abundant activity; energy.
         11. amenity 1661–1750
             Vigorousness, vigour. Obsolete.
         12. vogue 1674
             Vigour or energy. Obsolete. rare.
         13. energy 1783–
             As a quality of movement, activity, speech, art, etc.: vigour; intensity; forcefulness.
         14. smeddum 1790–
             Scottish. Spirit, pith, ‘go’; alertness of mind and vigour in action; energy.
         15. dash 1796–
             Spirited vigour of action; capacity for prompt and vigorous action.
         16. throughput 1808–
             Scottish. Capacity for work; energy, vigour.
         17. feck 1811–
             Operative value, efficacy, efficiency (cf. effect, n. 2a). Hence also: vigour, energy.
         18. go 1825–
             colloquial. Originally of a horse: capacity to go fast or well; physical vigour or stamina; motive power.
         19. steam 1826–
             figurative. Energy, ‘go’, driving power, and the like.
         20. jism 1842–
             Energy, strength.
         21. vim 1843–
             Force or vigour, energy, ‘go’. †Also as adv., vigorously, sharply.
         22. animalism 1848–
             The exercise of the animal faculties. With positive connotations: natural animal behaviour and activity; physicality; physical energy.
         23. fizz 1856–
             Animal spirits or ‘go’.
         24. jasm 1860–
             Energy, spirit, ‘pep’; = jism, n. 1.
         25. verve 1863–
             In general use: Energy, vigour, spirit.
         26. snap 1865–
             Alertness, energy, vigour, ‘go’. Originally U.S.
         27. sawdust a1873–
             transferred and figurative. (Sometimes with reference to the use of sawdust for stuffing dolls or puppets.)
         28. élan 1880–
             In English use chiefly abstract: Ardour, impetuousness, vivacity.
         29. stingo 1885–
             figurative. Vigour, energy, vim; to give (a person) hot stingo = to give it hot at give, v. phrases XIV.46a ? Obsolete.
         30. energeticism 1891–
             The quality or condition of being energetic. rare.
         31. sprawl 1894–
             dialect and U.S. Activity, energy, go.
         32. zip 1899–
             colloquial (originally U.S.). Energy, vigour; liveliness.
         33. pep 1908–
             Energy and high spirits; liveliness, vigour, power.
         34. jazz 1912–
             U.S. slang. Energy, excitement, ‘pep’; restlessness; animation, excitability. Now rare.
         35. zoom 1926–
             colloquial. Zest, vivacity, vigour; zip; gusto. Cf. zoom, int., vavoom, n.
         36. toe 1963–
             Australian and New Zealand slang. Speed, energy.
         37. zap 1968–
             Liveliness, energy, power, drive; also, a strong emotional effect.
         38. stank 1997–
             figurative. Force or intensity of expression or action; aggression. Also in popular music (esp. funk): unrestrained energy, passion, and…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 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
      building
      1. zipper 1924–
         Chiefly North American. A fastening device for clothes, bags, and other items, consisting of two flexible strips with interlocking projections of…
      2. zip 1925–
         A fastening device for clothes, bags, and other items, consisting of two flexible strips with interlocking projections of metal or plastic which…
      3. zip fastener 1925–
         A fastening device for clothes, bags, and other items, consisting of two flexible strips with interlocking projections of metal or plastic which…
      4. zip fastening 1925–
         a. n. A fastening device for clothes, bags, and other items, consisting of two flexible strips with interlocking projections of metal or plastic…
      5. zip top 1926–
         A zip at the top of a bag or other item; a top that can be opened or closed by means of a zip.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. 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
      computing

## Pronunciation

### British English

/zɪp/
zip

### U.S. English

/zɪp/
zip

####

##### 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

1. 1800s–
   zip, zipp

## Frequency

zip typically occurs about once per million words in modern written English.

zip is in frequency band 5, which contains words occurring between 1 and 10 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 zip, int. & n.¹, 1860–2010

* 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
--- | ---
1860 | 0.012
1870 | 0.017
1880 | 0.024
1890 | 0.035
1900 | 0.045
1910 | 0.055
1920 | 0.074
1930 | 0.1
1940 | 0.14
1950 | 0.18
1960 | 0.28
1970 | 0.49
1980 | 0.81
1990 | 1.1
2000 | 1.2
2010 | 1.2

### Frequency of zip, int. & n.¹, 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

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 corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 3.2
2018 | 3.3
2019 | 3.7
2020 | 4.1
2021 | 4.3
2022 | 4.1
2023 | 3.9
2024 | 3.8

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zip, v.¹ 1852–
   Senses relating to zip fasteners. intransitive…

1. zippy, adj. 1889–
   Characterized by rapid movement; fast, speedy…

1. zip gun, n. 1914–
   A type of toy gun designed to shoot projectiles…

1. zipless, adj. 1922–
   Designating a brief, uncomplicated, and…

1. zip fastener, n. 1925–
   A fastening device for clothes, bags, and other…

1. zip fastening, n. & adj. 1925–
   a. n. A fastening device for clothes, bags, and…

1. zip top, n. 1926–
   A zip at the top of a bag or other item; a top…

1. ziplock, n. 1928–
   As a modifier. Also with capital initial…

1. zipped, adj. 1931–
   Of a garment, bag, or other item: fastened by…

1. ankle zip, n. 1937–
   A zip fastening placed at the ankle on an item of…

1. trouser zip, n. 1940–
   A zip used as a fastening for a pair of trousers…

1. zip-lipped, adj. 1943–
   Having the lips tightly closed, esp. as a sign of…

1. zip tie, n. 1969–
   A type of detachable fastening for a bin bag or…

1. zip wire, n. 1971–
   An inclined cable or rope stretched between two…

1. zippie, n.² 1986–
   A member of a cultural group associated with the…

1. zip cuff, n. 1995–
   Usually in plural. A fastener used as handcuffs…

1. C.1.
   1. C.1.a.
      1928–
      As a modifier with the sense ‘with or by means of a zip’, as in zip-fastened, zip-locked, etc. Also forming adjectives with the sense ‘that has a —— fastened by means of a zip’, by combining with a noun + ‑ed, as in zip-fronted, zip-topped, etc.
      1. 1928

         > As yet, zip-fastened suede coats are very expensive.

         Prahran (Melbourne) Tel. 23 March 7/4
      2. 1929

         > The trousers pockets are also zip closed.

         Commercial Tribune (Cincinnati) 1 December 8
      3. 1979

         > She folded her cap inside her apron and pushed both into her zip-topped bag.

         This England Winter 19/3
      4. 1998

         > The fine, lightweight knitwear includes zip-fronted styles.

         GQ August 202/1
      5. 2000

         > Inside a zip-locked bag sat an unfathomably large amount of heroin.

         R. Bingham, Lightning on Sun 91
   2. C.1.b.
      1933–
      As a modifier with the sense ‘of or involving a zip; opened or closed by means of a zip; provided with a zip’, as in zip bag, zip front, zip pocket, zip pull, etc.
      See also zip top n.
      1. 1933

         > The new zipp-bedding is a great success.

         T. E. Lawrence, Letter 17 December in T. E. Lawrence et al., Home Letters (1954) 384
      2. 1940

         > A Dunlopillo sleeping bag. It has..soft upper lining, zip side,..and makes an ideal holdall.

         Punch 4 December p. xvii (advertisement)
      3. 1948

         > Only at Croyden did I discover that my small zip bags had been stowed away in a locker directly under my legs.

         W. Fortescue, Beauty for Ashes xxx. 235
      4. 1958

         > A blue zip jacket and slacks.

         Spectator 6 June 729/1
      5. 1960

         > The Minister's Private Secretary enters quickly, clutching a zip-case.

         N. Kneale, Quatermass & Pit i. 22
      6. 1991

         > The Maxim is a bag suitable for SLR and video use, with its quick action zip pull and four accessory pockets.

         Buying Cameras March 5
      7. 1997

         > Large, fully lined main compartment with magnetic snap closure, interior zip pocket, inside key fob, tuck buckle closure and brushed-nickel hardware.

         Eddie Bauer Catalogue Fall 64/3
      8. 2009

         > Throw on some casual outerwear, such as a zip-front hoodie.

         Wall Street Journal 21 May d8/4
2. C.2.
   1. zip gun, n. 1914–
      A type of toy gun designed to shoot projectiles…
   1. zip fastener, n. 1925–
      A fastening device for clothes, bags, and other…
   1. zip fastening, n. & adj. 1925–
      a. n. A fastening device for clothes, bags, and…
   1. zip-lipped, adj. 1943–
      Having the lips tightly closed, esp. as a sign of…
   1. zip wire, n. 1971–
      An inclined cable or rope stretched between two…

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

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