Zulunoun & adjective
Factsheet
What does the word Zulu mean?
There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the word Zulu, one of which is considered offensive. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
Zulu has developed meanings and uses in subjects including
How common is the word Zulu?
| 1820 | 0.012 |
| 1830 | 0.032 |
| 1840 | 0.22 |
| 1850 | 0.54 |
| 1860 | 1.2 |
| 1870 | 2.5 |
| 1880 | 3.3 |
| 1890 | 3.3 |
| 1900 | 2.5 |
| 1910 | 2.0 |
| 1920 | 2.0 |
| 1930 | 1.9 |
| 1940 | 1.9 |
| 1950 | 2.2 |
| 1960 | 2.4 |
| 1970 | 2.6 |
| 1980 | 2.4 |
| 1990 | 2.3 |
| 2000 | 2.2 |
| 2010 | 2.2 |
How is the word Zulu pronounced?
British English
U.S. English
Where does the word Zulu come from?
Earliest known use
1820s
The earliest known use of the word Zulu is in the 1820s.
OED's earliest evidence for Zulu is from 1824, in a letter by F. G. Farewell.
Zulu is a borrowing from Zulu.
Etymons: Zulu ‑Zulu.
Nearby entries
- zucchetto, n.1853–
- zucchini, n.1916–
- zuche, n.1358–1676
- Zuckerkandl, n.1910–
- zufolo, n.1724–
- zug, n.1899–
- zugtrompete, n.1978–
- Zugunruhe, n.1950–
- Zugzwang, n.1904–
- zule | zulis, n.1780–
- Zulu, n. & adj.1824–
- Zulu, v.1882–
- Zuludom, n.1867–
- Zulu hat, n.1879–
- Zuluize, v.1852–
- Zulu time, n.1959–
- zumbador, n.1758–64
- zumbi, n.1704–
- zumboorukchee, n.1840–
- Zuñi, n.1834–
- zunyite, n.1885–
Etymology
Summary
Notes
Meaning & use
- noun
- 1.a.1824–A member of a South African people traditionally living mainly in the region that is now KwaZulu-Natal province. Cf. amaZulu n.The Zulus formed a powerful military empire in southern Africa during the 19th cent. (cf. Mfecane n.) before being defeated in a series of engagements with Afrikaner and British colonizers, most notably the Anglo-Zulu War (1879).
- 1824
I communicated with Chaka, king of the Zulus, to whom belongs the whole of the country from Natal to Delagoa Bay.
F. G. Farewell, Letter September in S. Bannister, Humane Policy (1830) App. p. lii - 1836
The country of the Zoolas, eastward of Natal..is much infested with wild beasts.
N. Isaacs, Trav. & Adventures East Africa vol. II. xvii. 321 - 1887
The South African native, especially the Zulu, is..naturally honest.
J. W. Matthews, Incwadi Yami 187 - 1941
Look at the time these English had with the Zulus, more than a thousand getting themselves killed.
S. Cloete, Hill of Doves (1969) viii. 131 - 2019
Thandanani Gumede, a Zulu born in South Africa, told the society that it was not offensive to pay tribute to Zulu culture but it was wrong to use make-up to represent a different skin colour.
Times (Nexis) 7 November 23
the world people ethnicity, race, or heritage peoples of Africa peoples of Southern Africa [adjectives] Bantu peoples- Xhosa1812–Of, relating to, or belonging to the Xhosa or their language.
- Morolong1822–= Rolong, adj.
- amaXhosa1824–Relating to or designating the amaXhosa or their language; = Xhosa, adj.
- Zulu1824–A member of a South African people traditionally living mainly in the region that is now KwaZulu-Natal province. Cf. amaZulu, n.
- Sotho1827–Of, relating to, or designating a group of peoples living chiefly in Botswana, Lesotho, and in the central and northern regions of South Africa…
- amaZulu1828–Relating to or designating a Bantu people mainly inhabiting KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Cf. Zulu, adj. B.1.
- Amapondo1830–Of or relating to this Nguni people, or to the Xhosa dialect spoken by them. See Pondo, adj.
- African1832–Of or relating to Africa (originally with reference to the ancient Roman province of Africa; subsequently to the continent as a whole); belonging…
- Matabele1835–Of or belonging to the Ndebele people.
- knob-nosed1838–1907Designating the Tsonga people of Southern Africa; = knobnose, adj. Chiefly in Knob-nosed Kaffir. Obsolete. Generally regarded as offensive.
- Basotho1840–Of, relating to, or designating this people; (also) native to Lesotho.
- Manganja1859–Of, relating to, or designating an African people mainly inhabiting southern Malawi, or their Bantu language.
- Pondo1872–Of or relating to an Nguni people of the Eastern Cape province in South Africa, or to the Xhosa dialect spoken by them.
- Bapedi1878–= Pedi, adj.
- Ovambo1897–Of or relating to the Ovambo or their language.
- Tsonga1907–Of, relating to, or designating this people or their language.
- Venda1913–Of or relating to this people or their language.
- Pedi1922–Of, relating to, or designating the Pedi or their language.
- Nguni1929–Of or relating to the Nguni or their languages.
- Lobedu1937–Of, relating to, or designating the Lobedu or their language.
- Mosotho1955–Of or belonging to the Southern Sotho people; native to Lesotho. Cf. Basotho, adj.
the world people ethnicity, race, or heritage peoples of Africa peoples of Southern Africa [nouns] Bantu peoples person- Kaffir1588–Since the mid 20th cent. Kaffir has been considered extremely offensive and is now widely avoided, esp. in South Africa, where its usage is categorized as crimen injuria (crimen injuria, n.) and is thus legally actionable. A member of any of the Nguni peoples of south-eastern Africa; esp. (in later use) a Xhosa. Cf. Nguni, n. A.1, Red Kaffir, n. (b). Now historical and…
- Zulu1824–A member of a South African people traditionally living mainly in the region that is now KwaZulu-Natal province. Cf. amaZulu, n.
- Mantatee1833–In extended use: a person of Sotho (as opposed to Nguni) origin; esp. (in the Cape Colony) a Sotho refugee.
- Basotho1835–A member of a Bantu people of central southern Africa; (subsequently) a citizen or inhabitant of Lesotho (formerly Basutoland). Cf. Mosotho, n.
- Mosothoa1838–A member of the Southern Sotho people of southern Africa; an inhabitant of Lesotho (formerly Basutoland). Cf. Basotho, n.
- knobnose1839–Designating the Tsonga people of Southern Africa. Chiefly in knobnose kaffirs. Generally regarded as offensive.
- Manganja1859–A member of the Manganja people; (also) their Bantu language. Also (occasionally): = Nyanja, n.
- 1.b.1899–Originally and chiefly U.S. derogatory (now usually considered offensive). A dark-skinned person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent; a black person. Also more generally: any dark-skinned person.
- 1899
You can hear the gals declaring, Ain't that Zulu swell.
I. Jones, I want a Filipino Man (sheet music) 4 - 1958
If he gets lost it's too bad. I'm not going to freeze to death running around after a Zulu.
A. Sillitoe, Saturday Night & Sunday Morning xiv. 186 - 1967
I just didn't care to have any damn zulu saying I didn't do the work right.
‘D. Shannon’, Chance to Kill vii. 91 - 2009
A young Zulu out to make his bones..stuck a spork in his aorta.
J. Stahl, Pain Killers iv. 39
- AfricOld English–A native or inhabitant of Africa, esp. a black African; = African, n. A.1a.
- EthiopOld English–A black or dark-skinned person; a black African; (occasionally) an Ethiopian.
- MoorOld English–Originally: a native or inhabitant of ancient Mauretania, a region of North Africa corresponding to parts of present-day Morocco and Algeria. Later…
- blomana1225–1400A black man.
- Ethiopiana1325–A native or inhabitant of Ethiopia. Also: †a black or dark-skinned person (obsolete). Cf. earlier Ethiop, n.
- blue mana1387–A black man; an African; = bloman, n.
- Moriana1387–1737= Moor, n.² 1.
- black mana1398–A dark-skinned man, esp. a man of sub-Saharan African or Australian Aboriginal origin or descent. Also: †a dark-haired or swarthy man (obsolete). Cf…
- blackamoora1460–Now archaic and offensive. A black person, esp. an African; (formerly) spec. †an Ethiopian (obsolete). Also: any dark-skinned person.
- black Morian1526–99= blackamoor, n. 1.
- black boy1530–A dark-skinned boy or youth.
- molen1538Perhaps: a Moor. Cf. Morian, n.
- Nigro1548–1865= Negro, n. & adj.
- Nigrite1554–97= Negro, n. A.1a.
- Negro1555–A member of a dark-skinned group of peoples originally native to sub-Saharan Africa; a person of black African origin or descent. In early use… The term Negro remained the standard designation throughout the 17th to 19th centuries, and was still used as a standard designation, preferred by prominent black American campaigners such as W. E. B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington, until the middle years of the 20th cent. With the rise of the Black Power movement in the 1960s, the designation black was reclaimed as an expression of racial pride and, since then, the term Negro (together with related terms such as Negress) has fallen from favour and is now typically regarded as out of date or even offensive in both British and American English. Negro is still, however, used in positive contexts as part of the names of certain organizations, particularly the United Negro College Fund, and in historical context, with reference to baseball's Negro Leagues.
- neger1568–Now regional (chiefly Caribbean). Usually derogatory. = Negro, n. A.1a.
- nigger1577–This word is one of the most controversial in English, and is liable to be considered offensive or taboo in almost all contexts (even when used as a self-description). A dark-skinned person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent; = Negro, n. A.1a. Used by people who are not black as a relatively neutral (or…
- Kaffir1607–offensive. A black person, esp. one from southern Africa. In later use derogatory. Now chiefly historical.
- black1614–Also with capital initial. A member of any dark-skinned group of peoples, esp. a person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent. Also (esp. Austr…
- thicklipsa1616–A person or animal characterized as having thick or full lips. Sometimes in derogatory and offensive use as term or name for a black person (esp. in…
- Hubsheea1627–An Abyssinian (now historical); an Ethiopian.
- black African1633–a. n. A dark-skinned African; esp. one who is a native or inhabitant of sub-Saharan Africa (cf. black Africa, n.); b. adj. of or relating to…
- Sambo1657–Originally (disparaging): used as a nickname for a black person. Later (derogatory and offensive): used as a hostile or contemptuous term for a…
- blackface1704–Originally and chiefly U.S. A dark-skinned person. Also without article, as if a name. Now rare and offensive.
- Cuffy1713–(A name or nickname for) a black person (esp. a man). Cf. Cuff, n.⁵ 1. Now rare. Often in patronizing or derogatory use, and now usually regarded as offensive.
- Nigritian1738–Originally: a native or inhabitant of Nigritia, a region in central Africa corresponding to present-day Sudan and several countries to the west of…
- fellow1753–1860North American (U.S. regional (southern) in later use) disparaging. A black man. Obsolete.
- Cuff1755–(A name or nickname for) a black person (esp. a man); = Cuffy, n. 1. Now rare. Often in patronizing or derogatory use, and now usually regarded as offensive.
- blacky1759–A black person. Frequently without article, as though a proper name. Now offensive.
- mungo1768–A black person, esp. a slave. Also used as a proper name.
- Quashie1774–Caribbean (offensive and chiefly derogatory). A generic name for: a black person, esp. one considered as credulous or insignificant.
- darkie?1775–Originally North American. A dark-skinned person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent. Now colloquial and often offensive or derogatory (see…
- snowball1785–derogatory and offensive. (An insulting name or term of abuse for) a black person.
- blue skin1788–derogatory. A black person or a person of mixed black and white descent. Now rare.
- Moriscan1794A Moor. rare.
- sooty1820–offensive (usually derogatory or disparaging). A dark-skinned person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent; a black person. Sometimes also more…
- sooterkin1821–transferred. Chiefly applied to persons in allusive senses; sometimes = Dutchman. Also attributive.
- blackfellow1827–An Australian Aboriginal man or (occasionally) woman. Now frequently considered offensive.
- ebony1830–Originally U.S. A black person; (now usually) a black woman, spec. one with very dark skin. Now colloquial and offensive outside of black usage.
- nigc1832–Used chiefly as a term of abuse or contempt, this word is likely to be considered racially offensive or taboo in almost all contexts (even when used as a self-description). colloquial and derogatory (chiefly U.S.). = nigger, n. (in various senses).
- Jim Crow1835–derogatory and offensive. (A name for) a black person. Now rare.
- tar brush1838–derogatory and offensive. A black or dark-skinned person.
- tar baby1839–derogatory and offensive. U.S. A black person, esp. a child having skin that is considered to be particularly dark.
- dark-skin1845–Usually derogatory and offensive. A black or dark-skinned person; spec. (Australian) a person of Australian Aboriginal origin or descent. (obsolete).
- mokec1847–U.S. derogatory (offensive). A black person. Also (in extended use): a dark-skinned person of any race. Now rare.
- coon1848–slang (derogatory and offensive). A black person; a person of African origin or descent; an African American person.
- dinge1848–slang (offensive and derogatory). Cf. sense B U.S. A black person; (sometimes) spec. a black musician. Cf. dingy, n.
- dark meat1849–U.S. slang. derogatory. A black or dark-skinned person regarded as a sexual object; black or dark-skinned people considered collectively, regarded as…
- monkey1849–Originally U.S. (derogatory and offensive). A non-white or dark-skinned person.
- dark1853–A member of a black or dark-skinned group of people. Now rare (usually derogatory and offensive in later use).
- Sam1854–Originally and chiefly U.S. Usually disparaging or derogatory. Now likely to be considered offensive. A black man; (more generally) a black person; spec. one who is considered to be demeaningly obedient or deferential to white people (cf. Uncle Tom, n.…
- ebon1859–U.S. A black person. Now rare, archaic, and likely to be considered offensive.
- Negroid1860–Originally Ethnology. Now dated and potentially offensive. A person of this physical type.
- kink1865–U.S. slang (derogatory and offensive) A black person. Now rare.
- schvartze1886–slang (now offensive). In Jewish usage: a black person.
- fuzzy-wuzzy1890–derogatory and offensive. Chiefly in colonial and imperial contexts: a member of a non-white Indigenous people, esp. a black African person (often…
- Rastus1895–U.S. slang. derogatory and offensive. A nickname for: a hypothetically average or typical African American man.
- dingy1896–U.S. slang. (offensive and derogatory). A black person. Cf. sense A.2b, dinge, n.² A.3a. Now somewhat rare.
- race man1896–A black man, esp. one who (strongly) advocates the rights of black people; a supporter of black nationalism; cf. race woman, n.
- jig walk1899–A black person; an African American person. Now rare. In later use often avoided as liable to be considered derogatory and offensive owing to association with jig, n.²
- Zulu1899–Originally and chiefly U.S. derogatory (now usually considered offensive). A dark-skinned person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent; a black…
- possum1900–slang (usually derogatory). U.S. (offensive). An African American.
- golliwog1903–British slang. offensive. A black or dark-skinned person, esp. a person of African origin or descent. Cf. wog, n.¹ 1a.
- shine1908–An abusive term for a black person. Also attributive. U.S. slang.
- spade1910–slang (originally U.S.). A black person, spec. a dark-skinned black person. Chiefly derogatory and offensive, esp. when used by non-black speakers.
- jong1912–offensive. (A patronizing or derogatory term for) a black or Coloured (coloured, adj. A.I.3d) man or boy. Also as a form of address.
- smoke1913–An abusive and offensive term for a black person. U.S. slang.
- jazzbo1918–A black person. Frequently disparaging.
- eight ball1919–U.S. slang (derogatory and offensive). A black person.
- boogie1923–U.S. slang. derogatory and offensive. Now somewhat rare. A black person.
- jig1924–U.S. slang. Chiefly derogatory and offensive (see note). A black person. Cf. jigaboo, n.
- jigaboo1924–slang (chiefly U.S.). Chiefly derogatory and offensive (see note). A black person. Cf. jig, n.²
- melanoderm1924–A member of a dark-skinned people.
- monkey chaser1925–a. U.S. slang (offensive), a black person from the Caribbean or other tropical region; b. colloquial a drink of sweetened gin (see quot. 1952).
- jit1931–U.S. slang. derogatory and offensive. Now rare. A black person; esp. a black woman.
- Afro1942–A (British or American) person of African descent; a black person.
- nigra1944–U.S. colloquial and regional (chiefly southern). Usually offensive. = Negro, n.
- tar pot1944–U.S. slang (derogatory and offensive). A black person; esp. a black child. Cf. tar baby, n. 1a. Now rare.
- spook1945–slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). A derogatory term for a black person.
- munt1948–slang. derogatory and offensive. Among some white people in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, an insulting term for: a black African.
- Tom1956–A familiar shortening of the male forename Thomas. Originally U.S. slang. derogatory. Chiefly in African American usage. A black person regarded…
- boot1957–slang. offensive. A derogatory term for a black person.
- soul brother1957–colloquial (originally and chiefly U.S.). In African American usage: a black man or boy, esp. as regarded by other black people. Cf. soul sister, n.…
- golly1959–British slang (offensive). A black or dark-skinned person, esp. a person of African origin or descent. Cf. golliwog, n. 2.
- nig-nog1959–British slang. derogatory and offensive. A black or dark-skinned person. Also attributive or as adj.
- member1962–U.S. slang. A black person, esp. one regarded as a compatriot.
- pork chop1963–U.S. slang (derogatory). In black nationalist contexts: a corrupt or untrustworthy black person, esp. a black nationalist who regards African culture…
- splib1964–U.S. slang. Frequently derogatory and offensive, esp. outside African American usage. A black person.
- blood1965–slang (originally and chiefly in African American usage). Also with capital initial. A black person; (occasionally) (with the) black people…
- jungle bunny1966–derogatory and offensive. A black person.
- non-voter1966–South African colloquial (ironic). In urban (esp. township) use: a black person. Now historical.
- moolinyan1967–U.S. slang. offensive. Among Italian Americans: a black person. Cf. moolie, n.
- boogaloo1972–U.S. slang. derogatory and offensive. Now rare. A black person. Cf. boogie, n.²
- pongo1972–derogatory and offensive. A black person. rare.
- nappy head1973–U.S. slang (derogatory). A black person.
- moolie1988–U.S. slang. offensive. Among Italian Americans: = moolinyan, n.
- 2.1838–A language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken in South Africa, esp. in the region traditionally inhabited by the Zulus; the language of the Zulus.
- 1838
Andries..possessed a smattering of zooloo, and we thus hoped to be able to proceed without the aid of a sworn interpreter.
W. C. Harris, Narr. Exped. South Africa xv. 139 - 1861
The Zulu for dog is commonly spelt inja.
J. W. Colenso, Zulu-English Dictionary p. v - 1973
Bill..grew up in Natal and learned Zulu along with English.
Drum (Johannesburg) 8 January 14 - 2020
Each interview was conducted in Zulu and lasted on average two hours.
Journal Comparative Family Studies vol. 51 6
the mind language languages of the world African languages Niger-Kordofanian [adjectives] of or relating to Bantu languages- Kaffir1588–Since the mid 20th cent. Kaffir has been considered extremely offensive and is now widely avoided, esp. in South Africa, where its usage is categorized as crimen injuria (crimen injuria, n.) and is thus legally actionable. Of, relating to, or belonging to the Nguni peoples of south-eastern Africa, or their languages; designating a member of any of these peoples, esp…
- Kongo1597–Of or relating to the Kongo (see sense B.1) or their languages and dialects. Also: of or relating to the Kingdom of Kongo or its inhabitants.
- Xhosa1812–Of, relating to, or belonging to the Xhosa or their language.
- Amapondo1830–Of or relating to this Nguni people, or to the Xhosa dialect spoken by them. See Pondo, adj.
- Zulu1835–Designating the language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken by the Zulu people; of, relating to, or written in this language. Cf…
- Zulu1838–A language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken in South Africa, esp. in the region traditionally inhabited by the Zulus; the…
- Sesotho1844–Of, relating to, or in the Bantu language spoken by the Basotho of central southern Africa. Cf. Basotho, adj., Sotho, adj.
- Swahilian1846–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Swahili or their language.
- Chagga1847–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Chagga or their language.
- Kikuyu1850–Of, relating to, or belonging to the Kikuyu or their language.
- Kiswahili1850–Of or relating to Kiswahili.
- Bantu1858–Of or relating to a family of Niger-Congo languages spoken in central and southern Africa, including Swahili, Zulu, Kongo, Kikuyu, and Luganda… The word Bantu became a strongly offensive term under the old apartheid regime in South Africa, especially when used to refer to a single individual. In standard current use in South Africa the term black or African is used as a collective or non-specific term for African peoples. The term Bantu has, however, continued to be accepted as a neutral ‘scientific’ term outside South Africa used to refer to the group of languages and their speakers collectively.
- Fan1861–Of or pertaining to this people or their language.
- Swahilized1870–(Esp. of words) containing elements from Swahili; influenced by or adapted to Swahili culture.
- Amandebele1872–= Ndebele, adj.
- Nyamwezi1872–Of, relating to, or designating the Bantu language spoken by an African people of western Tanzania.
- Wagogo1878–= Gogo, adj.¹
- Lunda1879–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Lunda or their language.
- Luganda1882–Of or relating to Luganda.
- Sotho1883–Of, relating to, or designating the language of these peoples.
- Gogo1891–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Gogo or their language.
- Tonga1891–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Tonga of Zambia and Zimbabwe or their language.
- Chichewa1897–Of, relating to, or designating the Bantu language of the Chewa people. Cf. Chewa, adj.
- Ronga1897–Of or relating to the Ronga or their language.
- Bemba1904–Of or belonging to the Bantu language of the Bemba (see sense B.2); written or spoken in this language; (also) designating this language.
- Ila1907–Of or relating to this people or their language.
- Tsonga1907–Of, relating to, or designating this people or their language.
- Meru1908–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Meru, or their language.
- Chewa1909–Of, relating to, or designating the Chewa or their language. Cf. Chichewa, adj.
- Kinyarwanda1912–Of, belonging to, relating to the Kinyarwanda language.
- Venda1913–Of or relating to this people or their language.
- Lingala1922–Of or relating to this language.
- Luba1922–Of or relating to the Luba or their languages.
- Pedi1922–Of, relating to, or designating the Pedi or their language.
- Nyanja1923–Of or relating to the Nyanja or their language.
- Nguni1929–Of or relating to the Nguni or their languages.
- Ndebele1930–Of or relating to the Ndebele or their language.
- Tumbuka1933–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Tumbuka or their language.
- Lobedu1937–Of, relating to, or designating the Lobedu or their language.
- Mongo1961–Of, relating to, or designating the Mongo or their language.
- Siswati1964–Of, belonging to, or designating this language; written in or using this language.
the mind language languages of the world African languages Niger-Kordofanian [nouns] Niger-Congo Niger-Congo proper languages Kwa family Bantu languages Zulu- Zulu1838–A language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken in South Africa, esp. in the region traditionally inhabited by the Zulus; the…
- 3.1881–A type of fishing boat in common use in Scotland, esp. on the firths of Moray and Clyde, from c1880 until the beginning of the 20th cent. Also more fully Zulu boat. Now historical.Zulus were built with two masts, a straight prow, and a markedly raked stern.
- 1881
Mr Alexander Watson, who recently leased the building yard of Duffus Hillock, has just launched a so-called Zulu boat.
Banffshire Advertiser 29 December - 1883
Amongst the other intending Scotch exhibitors are Captain Swinbourne of Ardgour,..and Peterkin & Co., of Elgin, who will show a Zulu boat fully equipped.
Glasgow Herald 3 January 6/1 - 1905
A place for biggin heerin' boats Zulus, Fifies—best afloat.
Banffshire Journal 28 March - 1952
She was a seventy-foot ‘zulu’, lugsail-rigged, and with two Kelvin paraffin engines.
G. Maxwell, Harpoon at Venture (1955) ii. 37 - 2022
Some Zulus were temporarily beached on the western shore of the Bay when their crews went to fight in the First World War.
N. Thomson, Moray Way Companion (e-book edition)
society travel travel by water vessel, ship, or boat fishing vessel [nouns] other types of fishing vessel- spindlers-boat1243–1365Some kind of fishing-boat.
- manfare1326A small fishing boat. Obsolete. rare.
- stall boat1328–1720A kind of fishing-boat, placed at anchor at the mouth of a river.
- dogger1338–A sturdy two-masted fishing vessel with bluff bows (bluff, adj. 1a), resembling a ketch, formerly used for deep sea fishing in the North Sea. Now…
- hackboat1344–1475Some kind of small ship. Cf. hagboat, n. 1.
- fisher1416–General use as a modifier designating vessels or equipment used for fishing, as fisher bark, fisher ship, etc. Cf. fisher net, n., fisher boat, n.
- fishinga1450–As a modifier, designating vessels or equipment used for fishing, as in fishing boat, fishing gear, fishing ship, etc.
- drag boat1482–Originally Scottish, now chiefly North American. A fishing boat that uses a dragnet or fishing dredge. Cf. dredge-boat, n.
- coble1493–A sea fishing-boat with a flat bottom, square stern, and rudder extending 4 or 5 feet below the bottom, rowed with three pairs of oars, and…
- peter-boat1540–On the Thames and the coasts around its estuary: a heavy clinker-built fishing boat, decked forward and aft and ranging from about twelve to…
- monger1558–90A kind of fishing vessel.
- trimboat1558–9Some kind of fishing-boat used in the 16th cent. on the Thames.
- shotter1580A large sea-fishing boat.
- crab-skuit1614A small open fishing-boat with sails.
- fly-boat1614–1794A fishing boat used in Shetland, a buss. Obsolete.
- cantera1642A kind of Spanish fishing-boat.
- dogger-boat1646–
- cag1666–67A small fishing-vessel. (Dutch kaag.) Obsolete.
- yawl1670–A small kind of fishing-boat.
- barca-longa1681–‘A large Spanish fishing-boat, navigated with lug-sails, and having two or three masts..common in the Mediterranean.’ Falconer Dict. Marine 1789.
- hogboat1784–A relatively small, broad-bodied, decked boat with a narrow transom, leeboards, and a two-masted spritsail rig, used until the late 19th cent. for…
- hooker1801–A one-masted fishing smack on the Irish coast and south-west of England, similar to a hoy in build. Also attributive.
- hatch-boat1828–A small sailing boat chiefly used for fishing, with a large well in the centre for transporting fish alive, movable planks or boards for covering…
- pinkie1840–A small sailing vessel, usually having a narrow, pointed stern; = pink, n.² a.
- pookhaun1851–A small fishing boat which can be either rowed or sailed, having a single mast with a dipping lug sail. Cf. hooker, n.² 2.
- garookuh1855–(See quots.)
- jigger1860–Nautical. A small vessel of the smack type furnished with a ‘jigger’ sail: see II.2b; a similar vessel used as a fishing-vessel on the N.E. coast…
- Norwegian1872–3U.S. A kind of fishing boat used on the Great Lakes (see quots.). Obsolete.
- scaf1877–A light boat, skiff. Also attributive in scaffy boat. Chiefly Scottish. Now Historical.
- Zulu1881–A type of fishing boat in common use in Scotland, esp. on the firths of Moray and Clyde, from 1880 until the beginning of the 20th cent. Also more…
- mule coble1883–= mule, n.¹ II.5c.
- dragger1884–spec. North American. A fishing boat that uses a dragnet or fishing dredge. Frequently with modifying word indicating the type of fish or shellfish…
- mule1884–In technical applications: something which combines aspects of two different sources. English regional (northern). A boat combining the…
- novy1885–A type of Nova Scotian fishing boat.
- tosher1885–A small fishing smack.
- skipjack1887–U.S. A kind of sailing boat (see quot. 1976). Also attributive.
- fleeter1888–One who is engaged in ‘fleeting’ (see fleeting, n.³). Also, a boat intended for ‘fleeting’.
- rodney1895–Canadian (originally and chiefly Newfoundland). A small fishing boat, typically round-bottomed with a square stern; a small punt. Now chiefly histo…
- couta boat1896–A boat used to fish for barracuda; spec. a fast sailing vessel of the type originally used for barracuda fishing, but now sailed recreationally.
- mutton-ham boat1899–U.S. regional (North Carolina). Usually with hyphen. A large triangular sail used on certain fishing boats; = leg-of-mutton sail at leg of mutton…
- nobby1899–A small single-masted sailing boat of a type used esp. for fishing in the Irish Sea. Cf. nabbie, n.
- sinagot1927–A two-masted Breton fishing-boat.
- sport fisherman1937–a. A person who engages in sportfishing; b. a seagoing boat equipped for sportfishing.
- sport fisher1940–a. = sport fisherman, n. (a); b. = sport fisherman, n. (b).
- ski-boat1964–a. South African a raftlike boat with two outboard motors used esp. for offshore fishing; b. a small powerboat used for towing water-skiers.
- belly boat1976–A small, light, inflatable watercraft in which a person sits with his or her legs in the water, typically used for fishing in areas of still water…
- 4.1886–Angling. A type of artificial fly.
- 1886
Mr. H. A. Beck, chub and dace from same water, using a small brown Palmer dry, also a Zulu fly.
Anglers' Journal 10 July 330/1 - 1898
General utility flies... Such are the red tag, the Zulu, the blue dun, the snipewing.
Speaker 29 October 515 - 1920
The favourite flies are the Alder, Wickham's Fancy, Zulu, Blue Dun and Cochbonddu.
Country Life 10 July 69/2 - 2013
Older Zulus were always tied very thick, but it would seem that the lighter-hackled versions of today are more effective.
B. Hansford-Steele, Fishing Flies for Africa (e-book edition)
the world food and drink hunting fishing fishing-tackle means of attracting fish [nouns] artificial fly types of- moor flylate Old English–1653a. A kind of fly (not identified); b. Angling a kind of artificial fly (cf. moorish fly, n.).
- drake-flya1450–†a. An artificial fly dressed with breast feathers of a drake (obsolete); b. a may-fly, used in angling.
- dub-flya1450–1681An artificial fly: also dub-fly.
- dun cut1496–
- dun fly1496–Angling. Any of various artificial flies used as a lure in imitation of dusky-coloured natural flies; (hence also) used as a name for such natural…
- louper1496Some kind of artificial fly.
- yellow fly1496–Any of various flies or stoneflies which are yellow or yellowish in colour; (also) an artificial fly made in imitation of this.
- red fly1616–A kind of artificial fly which is predominantly red in colour (see quot. 1787).
- moorish fly1635–1812An artificial fly for fishing.
- palmer1653–Angling. An artificial fly covered with bristling hairs or fibres, esp. from a hackle wound in an open spiral along the length of the shank…
- palmer fly1653–
- red hackle1653–A kind of artificial fly with a predominantly red body and dressed with a red hackle feather (cf. hackle, n.² 4a).
- red palmer1653–A kind of artificial fly dressed with a red hackle feather (cf. palmer, n.¹ 2b).
- shell-fly1653–A kind of fly; an angler's artificial fly (see quots.).
- orange fly1662–Angling. A fly with an orange body and black wings, used as bait; an artificial fly imitating this. Now rare.
- blackfly1669Any dark-coloured insect, esp. a dark-coloured beetle. Obsolete.
- dun1676–Angling. Any of various artificial flies used as a lure in imitation of dusky-coloured natural flies, esp. a mayfly in the subimago stage; (hence…
- dun hackle1676–
- hackle1676–Angling. An artificial fly constructed with a hackle feather wound around one end of the body, typically to imitate the legs of an insect; a…
- mayfly1676–Angling. A stonefly; (also) an artificial fly made in imitation of this.
- peacock fly1676–A kind of artificial fly dressed with a peacock's feather; cf. peacock hackle, n.
- thorn-tree fly1676–A March trout-fly, a thorn-fly or hawthorn-fly, n.
- turkey-fly1676A kind of angler's fly: cf. turkey, n.² 4.
- violet-fly1676–An artificial fly used in angling.
- whirling dun1676–Names of artificial flies used in angling.
- badger fly1681–An artificial fly made with badger hairs.
- greenfly1686–Angling. Chiefly in form green fly. A kind of artificial fly.
- moorish brown1689–1799= moorish fly, n.
- hearth fly1696–1882A kind of artificial fly of a dark grey colour.
- prime dun1696–1799(In full prime dun fly) an artificial fly with wings made from a primary feather.
- sandfly1700–An artificial fly used in angling.
- grey midge1724–A small grey artificial fly.
- whirling blue1747–= whirling dun, n.
- dun drake?1758–
- death drake1766–An adult male of the common mayfly Ephemera vulgata, which is dark in colour; (also) an artificial fly made in imitation of this.
- hackle fly1786–= hackle, n.² 4a.
- badger1787–1828Angling. = badger fly, n. Obsolete.
- blue1787Any of various animals and plants having a blue or bluish colour.
- camel-brown1787–An artificial fly used in angling.
- spinner1787–Angling. One or other of several flies, or artificial imitations of these, used esp. in trout-fishing.
- brown-fly?1789–An artificial fly used in angling.
- midge1799–Angling. An artificial fly resembling a midge.
- night-fly1799–Angling. An artificial fly used in night-fishing.
- thorn-fly1799–A kind of artificial fly.
- turkey1799Angling. Short for turkey-fly, n. Obsolete.
- withy-fly1799An artificial fly used in angling.
- grayling fly1811–An artificial fly used in grayling fishing.
- sun fly1820–a. Any of various hoverflies (family Syrphidae), esp. Helophilus pendulus, which has black and yellow stripes on the thorax and abdomen, and is…
- coachman1828–Angling. A kind of artificial fly, typically tied with a dark body of peacock herl, a brown or red heckle, and backwards slanting white wings. Also…
- cock-a-bondy1835–Angling. Also with capital initial(s). An artificial fly intended to imitate or thought to resemble the garden chafer (see sense 2), typically…
- brown moth1837–An artificial fly used in angling by night.
- bunting-lark fly1837–An angler's fly.
- governor1837–Angling. A winged artificial fly used in trout-fishing.
- water-hen hackle1837–An artificial fly made from the hackle feathers of a moorhen.
- Waterloo fly1837An artificial fly with blue wings.
- soldier palmer1839–An artificial fly used in angling.
- blue jay1843–Angling. An artificial fishing fly of a blue colour.
- red tag1850–A kind of artificial fly with a green body, red hackle, and a red tag or tuft at the tail.
- canary1855–1904Angling. A kind of artificial fly which is predominantly yellow in colour. Obsolete.
- white-tip1856–Angling. A type of artificial fly. Now rare.
- spider1857–A species of artificial fly used in angling; a hackle-fly.
- bumble1859–Angling. In fly fishing: a type of brightly coloured palmer (palmer, n.¹ 2b).
- doctor1860–Angling. A type of artificial fishing fly.
- ibis1863–Angling. The name of a type of artificial fly; now more usually applied to a sort of red-dyed feather used in making this type of fly.
- Jock Scott1866–A large, colourful type of artificial fly made from a variety of different feathers, typically used for catching salmon; a fly of this type. Cf. Jack…
- eagle1867–Angling. An artificial fly dressed with a downy hackle feather from an eagle. Now historical.
- highlander1867–Angling. A kind of artificial fly, typically used in salmon fishing. Now esp. in green highlander.
- jay1867–Angling. Name of a variety of artificial fly.
- John Scott1867–A kind of artificial fly used in salmon fishing; cf. Jock Scott, n.
- judge1867–Angling. A kind of artificial fly for salmon fishing.
- parson1867Angling. A kind of artificial fly. Obsolete. rare.
- priest1867–Angling. A kind of artificial fly.
- snow-fly1867–One or other of several species of small insects frequenting snow (also, an artificial fly used in angling); esp. one of the genus Achorutes.
- Jack Scott1874–A large, colourful type of artificial fly typically used for catching salmon; a fly of this type; = Jock Scott, n.
- Alexandra1875–Angling. = Alexandra fly n. at sense I.3.
- silver doctor1875–An artificial fishing fly having a body of tinsel.
- Alexandra fly1882–An artificial fly having peacock feathers attached to a red or silver body, used esp. for trout fishing.
- Zulu1886–Angling. A type of artificial fly.
- grackle1894–Angling. The name of an artificial fly.
- grizzly queen1894–grizzly king, grizzly queen: the names of artificial flies for angling.
- heckle-fly1897Angling. An artificial fly constructed with a hackle feather; = hackle, n.² 4a. Also heckle-fly. Obsolete.
- Angling. A variety of artificial fly.
- streamer1919–transferred. Angling. A fly with feathers attached, which simulates a small fish; also, the feathers so employed. Frequently attributive, chiefly as…
- Devon1924–Angling. The name of an artificial fly.
- peacock1950–Angling = peacock fly, n.
- 5.a.1952–Used to represent the letter Z in radio communication.
- 1952
Z..Zulu.
Radio Navigational Aids (U.S. Hydrographic Office) ix. 377 - 2020
Control this is Zulu Echo Seven Five. I need a PNC check.
C. Revell, Soul to Take (e-book, accessed 16 Sept. 2022) xix
- call signal1853–a. A signal, typically an audible one, that a telegraphic message has arrived, or that there is a telephone call to be answered (now rare); b. = call…
- call letter1876–A letter of the alphabet comprising (part of) a call sign (call sign, n.).
- call sign1896–a. A signal that a telephone call is being made (now rare); b. a name or code used in radio communication to identify a person, ship, aircraft, or…
- ten signal1951–Any of the signals that form part of the ten-code (see above).
- Zulu1952–Used to represent the letter Z in radio communication.
- good buddy1956–A form of address used (originally) between male friends or (now usually) fellow users of Citizens' Band radio.
- ten-code1969–A code of signals (all beginning with the number ten) originally used in radio communication by police in the U.S. and later adopted by Citizens'…
- twenty1975–Citizens' Band Radio slang. (One's) location or position. Originally and chiefly U.S.
- 5.b.1956–An informal name for: Greenwich Mean Time, and (subsequently) Universal Time. Cf. Zulu time n.
- 1956
Time One Six Three Zero Zulu.
General Communications (U. S. Navy Department Bureau of Naval Personnel) vi. 67/2 - 1960
We'll have a meal..at twenty-three zulu—at eleven o'clock English time.
‘N. Shute’, Trustee from Toolroom 104 - 1976
‘Check Zulu 10.50.28,’ he said, using airmen's and Air Traffic Control jargon for time... ‘Okay. The line after Zulu 10.50.30.’
B. Jackson, Flameout (1977) v. 90 - 2014
Let me check, it's 2200 hours Zulu, that's 10 O'clock PM for some of us.
R. Gilmore, Bina Luna 27
- adjective
- 1.1827–Of, belonging to, or characteristic of the Zulus or their culture.
- 1827
The whole armed force of the Zoola nation is estimated..to amount to nearly 100,000 men.
G. Thompson, Travels South Africa i. xvii. 202 - 1863
They much resemble the Zulu huts, but have larger doorways.
W. C. Baldwin, African Hunting iii. 75 - ?1948
Where the music is genuinely of Zulu origin, composed in the tradition of Zulu music, we have classified it as ‘Country Zulu’.
H. Tracey, Lalela Zulu: 100 Zulu Lyrics p. v - 1977
Traditional English, Indian and Mauritian influences have married with..indigenous Zulu dishes.
Fair Lady (Cape Town) 8 June (Supplement) 28 - 2018
[The curators] have crafted this exhibition to highlight the fact that traditional Zulu society has never been monolithic in terms of their usage of body adornment as a form of cultural expression.
Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) (Nexis) 23 February
- 2.1835–Designating the language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken by the Zulu people; of, relating to, or written in this language. Cf. sense A.2.
- 1835
There acquire a knowledge of the Zoolah language before entering the territory of Dingaan.
Rep. Amer. Board Commissioners Foreign Missions 38 - 1850
All the remaining characters of the Zulu alphabet have the same power as the same letters in English.
J. S. Christopher, Natal App. 137 - 1869
The Zulu noun a-ba-ntu ‘men, people’.
W. H. I. Bleek in R. Noble, Cape & its People 272 - a1951
He laughed to hear the elderly black woman emit a long string of Zulu swear-words.
H. C. Bosman, Willemsdorp (1977) 63 - 2008
The manner in which Fuze's Abantu Abamnyama has been read as an inaugural text of Zulu literature.
Journal Relig. in Africa vol. 38 313
the mind language languages of the world African languages Niger-Kordofanian [adjectives] of or relating to Bantu languages- Kaffir1588–Since the mid 20th cent. Kaffir has been considered extremely offensive and is now widely avoided, esp. in South Africa, where its usage is categorized as crimen injuria (crimen injuria, n.) and is thus legally actionable. Of, relating to, or belonging to the Nguni peoples of south-eastern Africa, or their languages; designating a member of any of these peoples, esp…
- Kongo1597–Of or relating to the Kongo (see sense B.1) or their languages and dialects. Also: of or relating to the Kingdom of Kongo or its inhabitants.
- Xhosa1812–Of, relating to, or belonging to the Xhosa or their language.
- Amapondo1830–Of or relating to this Nguni people, or to the Xhosa dialect spoken by them. See Pondo, adj.
- Zulu1835–Designating the language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken by the Zulu people; of, relating to, or written in this language. Cf…
- Zulu1838–A language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken in South Africa, esp. in the region traditionally inhabited by the Zulus; the…
- Sesotho1844–Of, relating to, or in the Bantu language spoken by the Basotho of central southern Africa. Cf. Basotho, adj., Sotho, adj.
- Swahilian1846–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Swahili or their language.
- Chagga1847–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Chagga or their language.
- Kikuyu1850–Of, relating to, or belonging to the Kikuyu or their language.
- Kiswahili1850–Of or relating to Kiswahili.
- Bantu1858–Of or relating to a family of Niger-Congo languages spoken in central and southern Africa, including Swahili, Zulu, Kongo, Kikuyu, and Luganda… The word Bantu became a strongly offensive term under the old apartheid regime in South Africa, especially when used to refer to a single individual. In standard current use in South Africa the term black or African is used as a collective or non-specific term for African peoples. The term Bantu has, however, continued to be accepted as a neutral ‘scientific’ term outside South Africa used to refer to the group of languages and their speakers collectively.
- Fan1861–Of or pertaining to this people or their language.
- Swahilized1870–(Esp. of words) containing elements from Swahili; influenced by or adapted to Swahili culture.
- Amandebele1872–= Ndebele, adj.
- Nyamwezi1872–Of, relating to, or designating the Bantu language spoken by an African people of western Tanzania.
- Wagogo1878–= Gogo, adj.¹
- Lunda1879–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Lunda or their language.
- Luganda1882–Of or relating to Luganda.
- Sotho1883–Of, relating to, or designating the language of these peoples.
- Gogo1891–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Gogo or their language.
- Tonga1891–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Tonga of Zambia and Zimbabwe or their language.
- Chichewa1897–Of, relating to, or designating the Bantu language of the Chewa people. Cf. Chewa, adj.
- Ronga1897–Of or relating to the Ronga or their language.
- Bemba1904–Of or belonging to the Bantu language of the Bemba (see sense B.2); written or spoken in this language; (also) designating this language.
- Ila1907–Of or relating to this people or their language.
- Tsonga1907–Of, relating to, or designating this people or their language.
- Meru1908–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Meru, or their language.
- Chewa1909–Of, relating to, or designating the Chewa or their language. Cf. Chichewa, adj.
- Kinyarwanda1912–Of, belonging to, relating to the Kinyarwanda language.
- Venda1913–Of or relating to this people or their language.
- Lingala1922–Of or relating to this language.
- Luba1922–Of or relating to the Luba or their languages.
- Pedi1922–Of, relating to, or designating the Pedi or their language.
- Nyanja1923–Of or relating to the Nyanja or their language.
- Nguni1929–Of or relating to the Nguni or their languages.
- Ndebele1930–Of or relating to the Ndebele or their language.
- Tumbuka1933–Of, belonging to, or relating to the Tumbuka or their language.
- Lobedu1937–Of, relating to, or designating the Lobedu or their language.
- Mongo1961–Of, relating to, or designating the Mongo or their language.
- Siswati1964–Of, belonging to, or designating this language; written in or using this language.
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
Forms
Variant forms
- 1800sZoola, Zoolaa, Zoolah, Zooler, Zooloo, Zoolu, Zoulah, Zula, Zuloe, Zuloo
- 1800s–1900sZoulou, Zulo
- 1800s–Zulu
Frequency
Zulu typically occurs about twice per million words in modern written English.
Zulu 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 of Zulu, n. & adj., 1820–2010
* 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 |
|---|---|
| 1820 | 0.012 |
| 1830 | 0.032 |
| 1840 | 0.22 |
| 1850 | 0.54 |
| 1860 | 1.2 |
| 1870 | 2.5 |
| 1880 | 3.3 |
| 1890 | 3.3 |
| 1900 | 2.5 |
| 1910 | 2.0 |
| 1920 | 2.0 |
| 1930 | 1.9 |
| 1940 | 1.9 |
| 1950 | 2.2 |
| 1960 | 2.4 |
| 1970 | 2.6 |
| 1980 | 2.4 |
| 1990 | 2.3 |
| 2000 | 2.2 |
| 2010 | 2.2 |
Compounds & derived words
- Zuluize, v. 1852–transitive. To make (a person or thing) Zulu in…
- Zuludom, n. 1867–The Zulu people, or their lands or culture; the…
- Zulu hat, n. 1879–(Originally) a kind of straw hat with a wide…
- Zulu, v. 1882–intransitive, and transitive with it as object…
- Zulu time, n. 1959–(An informal name for) Greenwich Mean Time, and…