zizz, int. & n.

zizz
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zizz_int%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2021

# zizzinterjection & noun

## Earlier version

- zizz, n. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the word zizz mean?

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

### How common is the word zizz?

Fewer than 0.01occurrences per million words in modern written English

1850 | 0.0005
1860 | 0.0006
1870 | 0.0006
1880 | 0.0009
1890 | 0.0013
1900 | 0.0012
1910 | 0.0015
1920 | 0.0017
1930 | 0.0018
1940 | 0.0018
1950 | 0.0018
1960 | 0.0018
1970 | 0.002
1980 | 0.002
1990 | 0.0021
2000 | 0.0022
2010 | 0.0024

### How is the word zizz pronounced?

#### British English

/zɪz/
ziz

#### U.S. English

/zɪz/
ziz

### Where does the word zizz come from?

Earliest known use

1820s

The earliest known use of the word zizz is in the 1820s.

OED's earliest evidence for zizz is from 1824, in the writing of Walter Scott, poet and novelist.

zizz is an imitative or expressive formation.

### Nearby entries

1. zither-like, adj. 1881–
2. ziti, n. 1845–
3. zitty, adj. 1971–
4. Ziv, n. a1382–
5. zizania, n. 1526–
6. zizany, n. a1400–1803
7. zizel, n. 1775–
8. zizypha, n. 1546–1775
9. zizyphus, n.?1440–
10. zizz, v. 1883–
11. zizz, int. & n.1824–
12. zizzing, n. 1884–
13. zizzing, adj. 1919–
14. zizzy, adj. 1843–
15. Zlid, n. 1616–1785
16. Z'life, n. 1689
17. Z line, n. 1916–
18. Z-list, n. & adj. 1979–
19. Z-lister, n. 1999–
20. zloty, n. 1915–
21. Zn, n. 1814–

## Etymology

### Summary

An imitative or expressive formation.
Imitative.

Compare earlier buzz v.1 (and its variant bizz), whizz v., fizz v., hizz v., sizz v., and similar formations. Compare also Z n. I.4a.

## Meaning & use

1. interjection
   1. 1824–
      Representing a buzzing or whizzing sound, such as that made by the rapid motion of a wheel. Frequently reduplicated.
      1. 1824

         > I carried a cutler's wheel for several weeks..there I went bizz—bizz—whizz—zizz, at every auld wife's door.

         W. Scott, Redgauntlet vol. II. xi. 258
      2. 1939

         > His pedals turn and his wheel goes whiz! And scissors and knives sing ‘Zizz! Zizz! Zizz!’

         Australian Worker 8 November 4
      3. 2005

         > Flashes of laser fire lit the room. Zizz. Zizz. The wall above his bed exploded in a shower of hot sparks.

         M. J. Daley, Space Station Rat x. 94
2. noun
   1. 1.
      1860–
      A buzzing or whizzing sound, such as that made by the rapid motion of a wheel; (also) a movement accompanied by such a sound.
      1. 1860

         > Then he made a disdainful imitation of the bird, all buzz, zizz, and guggle.

         C. M. Yonge, Young Step-mother xlvii, in Monthly Packet September 267
      2. 1868

         > A sustained and continuous ‘zizz’, of the kind that is made with clenched teeth.

         A. W. Kinglake, Invasion of Crimea vol. IV. v. 174
      3. 1908

         > They shot round the base of the hills,..had a splendid zizz along the Hog's Back, and then turned sharp round.

         H. Belloc, Mr. Clutterbuck's Election xiii. 305
      4. 1955

         > The sustained, high-pitched zizz of a party was audible.

         D. Barton, Glorious Life xxv. 232
      5. 1965

         > The zizz of a trishaw's wheels passing on the road.

         Listener 17 June 900/3
      6. 1997

         > The metallic zizz of the starter motor.

         Car March 99/1
      1. buzzing 1495–
         A sibilant humming.
      2. beming a1522
         Trumpeting; transferred noisy buzzing.
      3. fuzzing 1676
      4. bumble 1834–
         A buzzing or humming noise. Cf. bumbling, n.¹
      5. Z-ing 1852–
         Used (usually repeated) to represent a buzzing sound; also conventionally representing the sound of snoring. Hence Z-ing n., and as v. intransitive…
      6. zizz 1860–
         A buzzing or whizzing sound, such as that made by the rapid motion of a wheel; (also) a movement accompanied by such a sound.
      7. zizzing 1884–
         A buzzing or whizzing sound; movement or activity accompanied by such a sound. Also figurative.
      8. zinging 1921–
         A sharp, high-pitched ringing, buzzing, or whining sound.
      9. tizziness 1976–
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 2.
      1920–
      colloquial. Liveliness, vibrancy; a stimulating or invigorating quality which adds to the enjoyment or agreeableness of something. Now chiefly British.
      Cf. earlier zing n. B.2, zip n.1 B.1b.
      1. 1920

         > It must have been that wink that lifted her out of mob scenes into real parts—and she's certainly got seven varieties of zizz-z to go with the wink!

         Picture-play Magazine April 78/2
      2. 1970

         > No party got into full swing until Tallulah arrived to put her particular type of zizz into it.

         Gourmet January 18/2
      3. 1983

         > The Queensgate centre lacks, perhaps, finesse and a touch of zizz.

         Times 22 February 12/6
      4. 1997

         > Salmon came with baby spinach and a fruity red wine sauce which gave it a perfect zizz.

         Independent on Sunday 26 January (Review Supplement) 50/4
      British English colloquial and slang
      1. excitancy a1834–
         The property of exciting or calling into activity.
      2. thrillingness 1847–
      3. thrill 1886–
         Thrilling property (of a play, novel, narrative, speech, etc.); sensational quality; transferred (slang), a literary work having this property, a…
      4. voltage 1890–
         Electromotive force reckoned or expressed in volts. Also figurative.
      5. excitingness a1910–
         Exciting character or quality.
      6. zizz 1920–
         colloquial. Liveliness, vibrancy; a stimulating or invigorating quality which adds to the enjoyment or agreeableness of something. Now chiefly British…
      7. sizzle 1964–
         A hissing sound, esp. one produced by the action of frying or roasting; also, broiling heat. Also figurative.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. merriness Old English–
         The quality or state of being merry (in various senses); merriment. Also (in early use): †melody, sweet sound (obsolete).
      2. jollity a1350–
         The quality or condition of being jolly, light-hearted, or festive; exuberant mirth or cheerfulness; †levity, giddiness (obsolete).
      3. jolliness c1386–
         The state or quality of being jolly, in the various senses of the adjective; jollity.
      4. jocundity c1420–
         Jocund quality or condition; mirthfulness, gaiety; mirth, merriment, glee.
      5. festivity 1583–
         The quality or condition of being festive; suitability for a festival. Hence: gaiety, conviviality, air of celebration.
      6. buxomness 1598–
         Blitheness, gaiety. archaic.
      7. joviality 1626–
         The quality of being jovial; hearty mirth, humour, or good-fellowship; jollity, festivity, conviviality.
      8. mirthsomeness a1645–
         = mirthfulness, n.
      9. jocosity 1646–
         Jocose quality or disposition, mirthfulness; esp. as exhibited in speech or action: mirth, merriment.
      10. allegresse 1652–
          Joyfulness, cheerfulness; liveliness.
      11. jovialness 1658–
          Jovial quality, joviality.
      12. mirthfulness 1749–
          The quality or state of being mirthful; joyfulness; jocosity, merriment.
      13. festiveness 1777–
          The fact or quality of being festive; cheerfulness; merriment.
      14. zizz 1920–
          colloquial. Liveliness, vibrancy; a stimulating or invigorating quality which adds to the enjoyment or agreeableness of something. Now chiefly British…
      15. gleefulness 1934–
          The quality or state of being gleeful.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. 3.
      1941–
      colloquial (chiefly British). A short sleep, a nap. Cf. Z n. I.4b.
      1. 1941

         > He could not have caught our Pilot Officer Prune at three o'clock one afternoon having a zizz full-length on a mess settee.

         Tee Emm (Air Ministry) August 17
      2. 1970

         > Just what I aim to forget by having A quiet ziz.

         P. Dickinson, translation of Aristophanes, Wasps in Plays vol. I. 169
      3. 2005

         > Sometimes a quick zizz for 15 or 20 minutes is wonderfully reviving.

         Sunday Times 20 November (Magazine) 82/4
      British English colloquial and slang
      1. sloom Old English–
         A gentle sleep or slumber; a light doze. Also attributive.
      2. wink 1362–
         A closing of the eyes for sleep; a (short) spell of sleep, a nap. rare except as in 1b, 1c.
      3. nap a1400–
         A short or light sleep, esp. one taken during the day; a snooze.
      4. slumber 1488–
         A period or occasion of sleep or repose; frequently, a light or short sleep.
      5. dog's sleep 1560–1896
         = dogsleep, n.
      6. dogsleep 1674–
         Light or fitful sleep, easily interrupted; an instance of this. Cf. catnap, n.
      7. (not) a wink of sleep 1682
         (not) to sleep a or one wink, (not) a wink of sleep, etc.
      8. doze 1731–
         A fit of dozing; a short slumber.
      9. snooze 1793–
         colloquial. A sleep; a nap, a doze.
      10. catnap 1801–
          A short period of light sleep; a brief nap, esp. one usually taken during the daytime.
      11. snatch 1820–
          esp. A short spell of sleep or slumber.
      12. forty winks 1830–
          forty winks: a very brief sleep, a short nap. colloquial.
      13. dog nap 1833–
          Originally: a short nap, esp. one taken while sitting, a catnap (cf. dogsleep, n. 2). Later: a nap taken by a dog.
      14. cat-sleep 1837–
          = catnap, n.
      15. eyeful 1860–
          A small amount or short period of sleep. Cf. wink, n.¹ 1.
      16. caulk 1917–
          A short sleep or ‘nap’.
      17. zizz 1941–
          colloquial (chiefly British). A short sleep, a nap. Cf. Z, n. I.4b.
      View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/zɪz/
ziz

### U.S. English

/zɪz/
ziz

####

##### 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

Forms with final ‑z occurring three or more times are also attested.

## Frequency

zizz typically occurs fewer than 0.01 times per million words in modern written English.

zizz 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 data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zizz, int. & n., 1850–2010

* 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
--- | ---
1850 | 0.0005
1860 | 0.0006
1870 | 0.0006
1880 | 0.0009
1890 | 0.0013
1900 | 0.0012
1910 | 0.0015
1920 | 0.0017
1930 | 0.0018
1940 | 0.0018
1950 | 0.0018
1960 | 0.0018
1970 | 0.002
1980 | 0.002
1990 | 0.0021
2000 | 0.0022
2010 | 0.0024

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zizzy, adj. 1843–
   Vibrant, lively, energetic. Cf. zizz, n. B.2. Now…

1. zizz, v. 1883–
   intransitive. To make a whizzing or buzzing…

zizz, int. & n. was revised in March 2021.

zizz, int. & n. was last modified in September 2024.