zig-zig, n.

zig-zig
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zig-zig_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 1986; not fully revised

# zig-zignoun

## Earlier version

- zig-zig in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zig-zig mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zig-zig. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

This word is used in U.S. English.

#### Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

### How common is the noun zig-zig?

Fewer than 0.01occurrences per million words in modern written English

1910 | 0.001
1920 | 0.0014
1930 | 0.0014
1940 | 0.0013
1950 | 0.0013
1960 | 0.0013
1970 | 0.0014
1980 | 0.0015
1990 | 0.0012
2000 | 0.0012
2010 | 0.0013

### How is the noun zig-zig pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɪɡzɪɡ/
ZIG-zig

#### U.S. English

/ˈzɪɡˌzɪɡ/
ZIG-zig

### Where does the noun zig-zig come from?

Earliest known use

1910s

The earliest known use of the noun zig-zig is in the 1910s.

OED's earliest evidence for zig-zig is from 1918, in a diary entry by H. V. O'Brien.

zig-zig is a variant or alteration of another lexical item.

Etymons: jig-a-jig phr.

### Nearby entries

1. ziggety, int., adj., & adv. 1924–
2. ziggurat, n. 1873–
3. zigzag, n., adj., & adv. 1712–
4. zigzag, v. 1777–
5. zigzag connection, n. 1922–
6. zigzagged, adj. 1774–
7. zigzaggery, n. 1761–
8. zigzaggy, adj. a1845–
9. zigzag machine, n. 1952–
10. zigzag trefoil, n. 1796–
11. zig-zig, n.1918–
12. Zika, n. 1952–
13. Zilavka, n. 1926–
14. zilch, n. & adj. 1925–
15. zilch, v. 1957–
16. zill, n. 1754–
17. zilla, n. 1772–
18. -zilla, comb. form
19. zilladar, n. 1763–
20. Zil lane, n. 1985–
21. zilla parishad, n. 1957–

## Etymology

### Summary

A variant or alteration of another lexical item.
Variant of jig-a-jig phr.

## Meaning & use

U.S. Military slang.

1. 1918–
   = jig-a-jig phr. 2.
   1. 1918

      > Zig-zig—nothing else but.

      H. V. O'Brien, Diary 30 January in Wine, Women & War (1926) 18
   2. 1930

      > Zig-zig wif me?

      in S. Longstreet, Canvas Falcons (1970) 271
   3. 1962

      > 'Allo, baybee! Comment alley vooz—zigzig?

      W. Robinson, Barbara (1964) 135
   military U.S. English colloquial and slang
   1. mone Old English–1425
      Sexual intercourse. man's mone: intercourse with a man. Cf. ymone, n. 1.
   2. ymone Old English–1350
      Sexual intercourse.
   3. mean c1175–1450
      Intercourse, fellowship; spec. sexual intercourse.
   4. manred c1275
      In extended use: sexual submission. Obsolete. rare.
   5. swiving a1300–
   6. couple c1320–1611
      Union or coupling in matrimony; the bond of wedlock; sexual union. Obsolete.
   7. company c1330–
      Sexual intercourse. Now archaic and rare.
   8. fellowred 1340–1400
      Sexual intercourse. Sometimes modified by fleshly.
   9. the service of Venus c1350–
      figurative. See also sense III.16e. Specifically with reference to sexual activity, e.g. in †the flesh's service, the service of Venus, Venus's se…
   10. miskissing a1387
       Improper kissing.
   11. fellowship c1390–
       Sexual intercourse; sexual relations. Sometimes with modifying word, as fleshly fellowship, carnal fellowship.
   12. meddling a1398–1603
       (The action of having) sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
   13. carnal knowing a1400–
       = knowledge, n. II.3c. Usually with preceding adjective, as carnal knowing, etc. Now rare.
   14. flesh a1400–
       In euphemistic phrases with reference to sexual intercourse.
   15. knowledge a1400–
       Sexual intercourse; (occasionally more generally) sexual intimacy. Frequently with of. Cf. know, v. II.8. Now rare except with preceding adjective.
   16. knowledging a1400–50
       Sexual intercourse.
   17. jape c1400–1600
       With reference to sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
   18. commoning?c1425–50
       Sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
   19. coupling c1425–
       The pairing of the sexes; sexual union.
   20. commixtion c1429–1797
       Sexual intercourse; an act or instance of this. Cf. commixture, n. 2. Obsolete.
   21. it c1440–
       Sexual intercourse. Now colloquial. Cf. do, v. I.18.
   22. communication c1450–
       Sexual intercourse. Chiefly (in later use only) with preceding specifying adjective, as carnal communication, etc.
   23. melling c1480–1621
       Scottish in later use. Sexual intercourse; copulation. Obsolete.
   24. carnality 1483–
       concrete. A carnal thing, action, etc.
   25. copulation 1483–
       spec. (An act of) sexual intercourse.
   26. mixture a1500–1712
       Sexual intercourse, esp. unlawful or promiscuous union. Cf. mix, v. 3b. Obsolete.
   27. Venus act?1507–
       In sense I.2, as Venus act, Venus exercise, Venus life, Venus play, Venus work, etc.
   28. Venus exercise?1507–
       In sense I.2, as Venus act, Venus exercise, Venus life, Venus play, Venus work, etc.
   29. Venus play?1507–
       In sense I.2, as Venus act, Venus exercise, Venus life, Venus play, Venus work, etc.
   30. Venus work?1507–
       In sense I.2, as Venus act, Venus exercise, Venus life, Venus play, Venus work, etc.
   31. conversation?c1510–
       Sexual intercourse or intimacy.
   32. flesh-company 1522
       Sexual intercourse.
   33. act?1532–
       euphemistic. With the. The act of procreation; sexual intercourse. Cf. in the act (of) at phrases P.1, act of love n. at phrases P.6.
   34. carnal knowledge 1532–
       Sexual intercourse or intimacy.
   35. occupying?1544–
       The action of having sexual intercourse or relations; use or employment for sexual gratification; an act of sexual intercourse. archaic in later use.
   36. congression 1546–1660
       Copulation, coition; = congress, n. 4. Obsolete.
   37. soil 1555–1613
       Sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
   38. conjunction 1567–1794
       spec. Sexual union, copulation. Obsolete.
   39. fucking 1568–
       coarse slang. The action of fuck, v. 1; sexual intercourse.
   40. rem in re 1568–
       Sexual intercourse; spec. (with the Latin phrase understood literally) sexual penetration.
   41. commixture 1573–1875
       Sexual intercourse; an act or instance of this. Cf. commixtion, n. 3. Obsolete (rare in later use).
   42. coiture 1574–1657
       = coition, n. 2.
   43. shaking of the sheets?1577–1700
       The name of a dance (in the 16–17th centuries very often used jocularly for sexual intercourse). Obsolete.
   44. cohabitation 1579
       Sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
   45. congress 1589–
       Sexual union, copulation, coition.
   46. union 1598–
       Sexual intercourse; copulation. Now somewhat rare.
   47. embrace 1599–
       The action of folding in the arms, of pressing to the bosom. (Sometimes euphemistically for sexual intercourse.)
   48. commerce 1600–
       Sexual intercourse. Frequently with pejorative connotation of illicitness. Also more fully commerce of the sexes. Now archaic.
   49. love rites 1600–
       Sexual intercourse, lovemaking.
   50. making-out a1601–
   51. rutting 1600–
       Sexual intercourse; promiscuous or lecherous behaviour. rare between 17th and 20th centuries.
   52. noddy 1602–
       slang. Sexual intercourse. rare after 17th cent.
   53. poop-noddy 1606–
       Sexual intercourse.
   54. niggling 1608–1723
       The action of niggle, v.¹
   55. conversing a1610–
       The action of converse, v.: having intercourse; discoursing, talking.
   56. carnal confederacy 1610
       Obsolete. rare.
   57. wapping 1610
   58. business a1612–
       euphemistic. Sexual intercourse, sex. Now usually with the.
   59. coition 1615–
       Sexual conjunction, copulation.
   60. doing a1616–1869
       euphemistic. Sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
   61. amation 1623–
       Sexual activity, sexual intercourse.
   62. bedding a1627
       Originally: the act of ceremonially taking a bride or putting a newly married couple to bed in order that the marriage be consummated (now archaic or…
   63. hot cockles a1627–1727
       Sexual intercourse. Chiefly in to play at hot cockles: to have sexual intercourse; (perhaps also) to stimulate the genitals of a woman manually…
   64. other thing 1628–
       a. euphemistic (with the) sexual activity, sexual intercourse; (also occasionally) the penis; cf. other, adj. B.II.10; b. to do the other thing collo…
   65. buck 1632
       The action of buck, v.²
   66. act of love 1638–
       (Usually with the) sexual intercourse; (also) an instance of this; cf. sense I.2d.
   67. commistion 1658
       = commixture, n. Cf. commixtion, n.
   68. subagitation 1658–
       Sexual activity, sexual intercourse; an instance of this.
   69. cunt c1664–
       coarse slang in later use. Sexual intercourse with a woman or women; women as a source of sexual gratification.
   70. shift 1664–
       slang. Originally: sexual intercourse; an act or instance of this. Now chiefly Irish English: kissing; sexual activity which stops short of…
   71. coit 1671–1766
       = coition, n. 2.
   72. intimacy 1676–
       euphemistic for sexual intercourse.
   73. the last favour 1676–
       Euphemistically. Formerly also the last favour (= French les dernières faveurs).
   74. quiffing 1686–1796
       coarse slang. Obsolete. rare. Sexual intercourse, esp. had with or by a prostitute.
   75. old hat 1697–
       slang. The vulva. Also: sexual intercourse; a woman regarded as a means of sexual gratification. Now archaic and rare.
   76. correspondence 1698
       Sexual intercourse. Obsolete.
   77. frigging 1708
       The action or practice of frig, v. (in various senses); an instance of this. In later use: esp. the action of masturbating.
   78. Moll Peatley 1711–1801
       A dance in which the dancers hit elbows (see quot. 1801). In extended use (slang): sexual intercourse (also Moll Peatley's jig).
   79. coitus 1713–
       = coition, n. 2 (in scientific writers, who also use the Latin phrase in coitu = in coition).
   80. sexual intercourse 1753–
       Sexual relations or union between the sexes (in early use often with the), copulation, coition; (now esp.) intimate sexual contact between two…
   81. shagging 1772–
   82. connection 1791–
       Sexual relation or intercourse; a liaison.
   83. intercourse 1803–
       Sexual connection.
   84. interunion 1822–
       Mutual or reciprocal union; interblending; sexual union.
   85. greens 1846–
       In plural. slang. Sexual activity, esp. intercourse.
   86. tail 1846–
       slang. †(a) A prostitute (obsolete); (b) offensive women regarded collectively (by men) as a means of sexual gratification; sexual intercourse; a…
   87. copula 1864–
       Sexual union.
   88. poking 1864–
       coarse slang. Sexual intercourse.
   89. fuckee a1866–
       coarse slang. In (frequently disparaging) representations of pidgin English: sexual intercourse; an act of this.
   90. sex relation 1871–
       The relation between the sexes, or an instance of this; spec. (usually in plural) = sexual relations, n.
   91. wantonizing 1884–
       Wanton behaviour; esp. sexual activity, lovemaking; an instance of this.
   92. belly-flopping 1893
       slang. Sexual intercourse. Obsolete. rare.
   93. twatting 1893
       Sexual intercourse or activity. Obsolete. rare.
   94. mattress-jig 1896–
       (An act of) sexual intercourse.
   95. sex 1899–
       Physical contact between individuals involving sexual stimulation; sexual activity or behaviour, spec. sexual intercourse, copulation. to have sex (…
   96. fuckery 1900–
       coarse slang. Sexual intercourse or sexual activity.
   97. screwing 1904–
       spec. slang (originally U.S.). The action or an act of having sexual intercourse. Cf. screw, v. II.7b.
   98. jazz 1918–
       U.S. slang. Sexual intercourse; an instance of this. Cf. jazz, v. 5, jazzing, n. 2. Now rare.
   99. zig-zig 1918–
       = jig-a-jig, phr. 2.
   100. other 1922–
        slang. Usually with the. Sexual activity; sexual intercourse. Chiefly in a bit of the other.
   101. booty 1926–
        Sexual intercourse; a person (esp. a woman) regarded as an object of sexual ambition or desire. Also (occasionally): the female genitals. Cf. ass, n.²…
   102. pigmeat 1926–
        Chiefly U.S. coarse slang. Sexual intercourse or gratification; a woman or girl regarded as a sexual object.
   103. jazzing 1927–
        U.S. slang. Sexual intercourse. Now rare.
   104. poontang 1927–
        slang (originally U.S. (southern), chiefly in African American usage). offensive. Sexual intercourse, sex; copulation.
   105. relations 1927–
        In plural. Short for sexual relations, n. Frequently in to have relations.
   106. whoopee 1928–
        Sexual intercourse. Cf. to make whoopee at phrases.
   107. nookie 1930–
        Sexual intercourse.
   108. hump 1931–
        Sexual intercourse; (hence) a woman who makes herself available for sexual intercourse. coarse slang.
   109. jig-a-jig 1932–
        As n. In the sense ‘sexual intercourse’; also as v., to copulate. slang.
   110. homework 1933–
        U.S. slang. Sexual activity, esp. with one's partner; sexual intercourse.
   111. quickie 1933–
        Something produced, performed, or consumed quickly; spec. (a) an alcoholic drink taken quickly; (b) a hurried act of sexual intercourse.
   112. nasty 1934–
        slang (euphemistic). Sexual intercourse. Now esp. in to do the nasty and variants: to have sexual intercourse; to copulate.
   113. jig-jig 1935–
        As n. = jig-a-jig, phr. 2.
   114. crumpet 1936–
        slang. Women regarded collectively as a means of sexual gratification; occasionally a woman; sexual intercourse. So a bit (or piece) of crumpet: a…
   115. pussy 1937–
        coarse slang. Sexual intercourse with a woman.
   116. Sir Berkeley 1937–
        In transferred uses, as Sir Harry, Sir Sydney, Sir Timothy (see quots.); Sir Berkeley n. coarse slang the female genital organs; hence transferred…
   117. pom-pom 1945–
        Sexual intercourse, esp. with a prostitute. Also in to make pom-pom. Also: the female external genitals, the vulva.
   118. charvering 1954–
        a. adj. Designating a prostitute (in charvering donna, charvering moll); b. n. sexual intercourse.
   119. mollocking 1959–
   120. boning 1966–
        slang (originally U.S.). An act of sexual intercourse; an act of penetration with the penis. Also as a mass noun. Cf. later bone, v.¹ 8.
   121. leg 1967–
        slang (originally and chiefly U.S.) Sexual intercourse. Frequently in to get (off) some leg: (of a man) to have sexual intercourse.
   122. how's your father 1968–
        euphemistic. Sexual activity; sexual intercourse. Chiefly in a bit of how's your father.
   123. rumpy-pumpy 1968–
        Sexual intercourse.
   124. poon 1969–
        slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). offensive. Sexual intercourse; = poontang, n. 1.
   125. shafting 1971–
   126. home plate 1972–
        slang (chiefly North American). The last of four notional stages of sexual activity, usually characterized as an act of sexual intercourse.
   127. pata-pata 1977–
        slang. Sexual intercourse.
   128. freaky-deaky 1980–
        Sexual intercourse or activity, esp. of a type regarded as unusual or unconventional. Frequently in to do the freaky deaky.
   129. bonking 1985–
        slang (originally British). Sexual intercourse. Also occasionally as a count noun. Cf. bonk, v. 3.
   130. legover 1985–
        Sexual activity; spec. sexual intercourse.
   131. hootchy-kootchy 1986–
        slang. Sexual intercourse; (occasionally) sexual activity. Sometimes euphemistic.
   132. knobbing 1986–
        British coarse slang. Sexual intercourse; an act of sexual intercourse. Cf. knob, v. 5.
   133. rumpo 1986–
        = rumpy-pumpy, n.
   134. porking 1988–
        (The action of having) sexual intercourse; an instance of this. Cf. pork, v. 3.
   135. fanny 1993–
        coarse slang (originally and chiefly British). Women regarded as a source of sexual gratification. Also: sexual intercourse with a woman.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɪɡzɪɡ/
ZIG-zig

### U.S. English

/ˈzɪɡˌzɪɡ/
ZIG-zig

####

##### 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

## Frequency

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

zig-zig 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 zig-zig, n., 1910–2010

* 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
--- | ---
1910 | 0.001
1920 | 0.0014
1930 | 0.0014
1940 | 0.0013
1950 | 0.0013
1960 | 0.0013
1970 | 0.0014
1980 | 0.0015
1990 | 0.0012
2000 | 0.0012
2010 | 0.0013

zig-zig, n. was first published in 1986; not fully revised.

zig-zig, n. was last modified in June 2024.