zilchnoun & adjective
Factsheet
What does the word zilch mean?
There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the word zilch. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
How common is the word zilch?
| 1950 | 0.011 |
| 1960 | 0.017 |
| 1970 | 0.023 |
| 1980 | 0.027 |
| 1990 | 0.031 |
| 2000 | 0.037 |
| 2010 | 0.043 |
How is the word zilch pronounced?
British English
U.S. English
Where does the word zilch come from?
Earliest known use
1920s
The earliest known use of the word zilch is in the 1920s.
OED's earliest evidence for zilch is from 1925, in the writing of F. Bowers.
zilch is of uncertain origin.
Nearby entries
- zigzag, v.1777–
- zigzag connection, n.1922–
- zigzagged, adj.1774–
- zigzaggery, n.1761–
- zigzaggy, adj.a1845–
- zigzag machine, n.1952–
- zigzag trefoil, n.1796–
- zig-zig, n.1918–
- Zika, n.1952–
- Zilavka, n.1926–
- zilch, n. & adj.1925–
- zilch, v.1957–
- zill, n.1754–
- zilla, n.1772–
- -zilla, comb. form
- zilladar, n.1763–
- Zil lane, n.1985–
- zilla parishad, n.1957–
- zillion, n. & adj.1920–
- zillionaire, n.1926–
- zillionth, n. & adj.1940–
Etymology
Summary
Notes
- 1922
The end came during the sentimental number called ‘The Coachman's Heart,’ in which Joseph Zilch, Mr. Tinney's mysterious off-stage friend, was represented by his widow in the dental personality of Marion Sunshine.
Life 14 September 20/1 - 1928
I don't wear ‘specs’ and the crowds don'w know me from Joe Zilsch.
Dayton (Ohio) Daily News 13 May (Sunday Sport section) 12/8 - 1932
That famous individual—Joe Zilch—has been located at Yale. The Yale News reports his name has graced freshman attendance sheets for several weeks.
Washington Post 6 March a7/7 - 1942
One whose name is not known,..Joe Doe, Joe Zilch, John Doe, John Henry, John Smith.
L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark, American Thesaurus of Slang §442/3
Meaning & use
- noun
- 1.1925–An imaginary musical instrument. rare.
- 1925
College slang is a language all its own... The word..‘Zilsch’ seems to have been coined at first as an imaginary instrument in an orchestra vaguely resembling the big bass horn.
F. Bowers in Providence (Rhode Island) Sunday Journal 15 February f5/7 - 1934
Peter Biljo and his Russian Balalaika orchestra are heard Tuesdays and Wednesdays..over WJSV from C. B. S. networks. The instrument he's playing, we learn from authenticated sources, is not a zilch.
Washington Post 31 August 26/2 (caption) - 1942
Zilch, an imaginary wind instrument.
L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark, American Thesaurus of Slang 558
- 2.1933–A person of no importance or consequence; a worthless or insignificant person; a nobody, a nonentity.
- 1933
You zilch, don't you know that mast hoops never wear out?
Motor Boating June 68/1 - 1965
The language of personal insult flourishes. A zilch is a total loss, and so is a wimp..gink..skag..lunchbucket.
Time 1 January 56/3 - 1993
I was mad at you because of the way you treated me. You treated me like a zilch!
R. Taylor & J. Bologna, Love Allways 197 - 2020
They're losers... They will always be losers. Zilches.
@TorchysBar 1 May in twitter.com (accessed 21 Aug.)
the world action or operation failure or lack of success [nouns] unsuccessful person or thing person who is a failure- weaka1450–As a count noun: a weak person (in various senses of the adjective). rare before the 21st cent.; colloquial in later use (cf. lame, n.¹ 3).
- botch1769–colloquial. An unskilful or incompetent worker; = botcher, n.¹ 1. Also (more generally): a useless person, a failure; a bungler; an incompetent…
- non-starter1839–A person who or thing which does not start; esp. a person or animal that fails to start in a race or other contest.
- schlemiel1868–An awkward or clumsy person, a blunderer; a habitually unlucky person; a foolish or pathetic person.
- also-ran1896–A person who competes in but does not win a contest, election, etc. Also: a person who or thing which attains little or no success.
- cop-out1896–1911Australian. Apparently: (a nickname for) a person who is unlucky or who (frequently) fails or gets into unpleasant situations. Cf. to cop out 2. Obs…
- rinky-dink1900–An unsuccessful, unimportant, or despised person.
- flivver1915–A person or thing that has a damaging or deleterious influence; a failure.
- jabroni1919–U.S. slang and colloquial (derogatory, often used mockingly). A stupid, objectionable, or ridiculous man; a loser, a knuckle-head.
- bust1922–A failure, a flop; a disappointing person or experience.
- blowout1925–slang (originally U.S.). A conspicuous or irretrievable failure; a fiasco, a debacle. Cf. wash-out, n. 4.
- wash-out1925–slang. A useless or unsuccessful person; spec. in Air Force slang, a person who is eliminated from a course of training.
- dropout1930–A person who ‘drops out’ (see to drop out 2 at drop, v. phrasal verbs), esp. from a course of study or from society; also, the act of withdrawing…
- zilch1933–A person of no importance or consequence; a worthless or insignificant person; a nobody, a nonentity.
- sad sack1943–An inept, foolish, or pathetic person (originally a member of the armed services); a social misfit. Also in extended use, of a thing.
- loser1955–An unsuccessful or incompetent person, a failure.
- unknownc1390–A person who is not known; an unfamiliar or unidentified individual. Also (esp. in later use): a person who is not widely-known, famous, or…
- pawnc1450–figurative and in figurative contexts. A person or thing of little value, status, power, etc.; a servile agent, a minion. Now chiefly: a person or…
- cipher in algorismc1475–1628The figure 0; (figurative) a person of no significance, a cipher.
- semi-cipher?1550A nothing or nobody.
- bauble1570–figurative and extended uses denoting a person or thing regarded as inferior or of little importance. A person regarded as of little importance or…
- Phrases: a feather in the cap, hat: a decoration, mark of honour, literal and figurative (also elliptical); also †the badge of a fool; hence †Jack w…
- nobody1583–A person of no importance, authority, or social position.
- winterling1585Apparently: a person of little account, significance, or experience. Obsolete. rare.
- squash1600–The unripe pod of a pea. Also applied contemptuously to persons. Obsolete exc. archaic.
- rush candle1628–figurative and in figurative contexts. Something weak, feeble, or insignificant. Also with reference to a person. Cf. rushlight, n. 1a.
- niflec1635–1849An insignificant person. Obsolete. rare.
- nullity1657–A person regarded as being insignificant, unintelligent, or beneath consideration; a nonentity.
- nonentity1710–A person or thing with no special or interesting qualities; a characterless, unimportant, or insignificant person or thing.
- pippin squeezer1779–89An insignificant, young, or feeble individual, a lightweight; cf. pippin, n. 4a.
- featherweight1812–Horse Racing. The lightest weight allowed by the rules to be carried by a horse in a handicap. Hence sometimes applied to the rider.
- underscrub1822–An undergrown or insignificant person.
- nyaff1825–A diminutive, insignificant, or contemptible person. Now frequently in wee nyaff.
- small fish1836–A person or thing of relatively small importance or significance; esp. in small fish in a big pond and variants: a person or thing regarded as…
- no-account1840–A person of no account or importance; an insignificant, worthless person.
- little fish1846–A person or thing of relatively little importance or significance, esp. in little fish in a big pond (and variants): a person or thing regarded as…
- peanut1864–colloquial (originally U.S.). A small, unintelligent, or unimportant person (see also quots. 1945, 1968).
- commonplacer1874–colloquial (originally U.S.). A common or ordinary person or thing.
- sparrow-fart1886–a. dialect and slang, break of day, very early morning; also plural; b. rare a person of no consequence.
- Little Willie1901–colloquial. (A name for) an ordinary or insignificant, or a foolish or incompetent, man.
- pipsqueak1905–colloquial. An insignificant person or thing; a youngster.
- nebbish1907–An insignificant or ineffectual person; a nobody; a nonentity.
- pie-biter1911–Australian slang. derogatory = pie eater, n.
- blob1916–Someone of no account, a ‘cipher’ or fool. colloquial and slang (chiefly Australian).
- smallie1930–colloquial (originally U.S.). An unimportant or insignificant person. Cf. biggie, n. 1a.
- no-count1932–= no-account, n.
- zilch1933–A person of no importance or consequence; a worthless or insignificant person; a nobody, a nonentity.
- Mickey Mouse1935–colloquial. An easily influenced person; one who is inconsequential, timid, or weak.
- muzhik1945–Now historical. In extended use.
- nerd1951–slang (originally U.S.). Mildly derogatory. An insignificant, foolish, or socially inept person; a person who is boringly conventional or studious. Now also: spec. a person who pursues an…
- nothingburger1953–colloquial and often derogatory (originally and chiefly U.S.). A person or thing of no importance, value, or substance. Now esp.: something which, contrary to expectations, turns out to be insignificant or…
- nerk1955–A foolish, objectionable, or insignificant person.
- non-person1959–A person who is regarded as non-existent or unimportant, or who is not considered as a person for purposes of entitlement to rights, etc.; an…
- no-mark1982–A person considered to be of no account; a nobody, a failure.
- bottom-dweller2011–a. A fish or other aquatic organism whose natural habitat is at or near the bottom of a body of water; b. figurative (frequently disparaging) a…
- 3.1956–Nothing at all, zero; (in negative constructions) anything at all; the least thing. Cf. zip n.2
- 1956
‘What are the chances for rescue?’ an operator asked. ‘Zilch!’ somebody muttered.
Popular Mechanics July 74/2 - 1958
We hate to discourage you, but we don't have ‘zilch’ for this edition of Town and Country.
Jefferson City (Missouri) Post-Tribune 15 May 4/3 - 1977
Our sex life is practically zilch, and he almost never pays any attention to me.
Playgirl May 12/2 - 1984
Three further 45s ensued in 1979 and '80, plus an album which didn't sell. After that, zilch.
Sounds 1 December 38/3 - 2004
The level of communication between all these bodies charged with rooting out fraud is close to zilch.
H. Kennedy, Just Law (2005) iv. 113
- noughtOld English–That which does not exist, nothingness. Cf. naught, pron. A.1. Now archaic and rare.
- devil hae'tc1590–Not a whit; very little; nothing at all. Cf. devil a haet at haet, n. 1a.
- neither tip nor toe: not a particle or trace, none at all.
- nix1781–Nothing; nobody.
- damn the haet1787–damn the haet (formerly also †damned haet): nothing at all. Cf. damn all, n.
- no nothing1815–colloquial. no nothing: absolutely nothing, nothing at all.
- zero1823–Nil, no amount; none at all.
- all1842–In various formations modelled on damn all (see damn all, n.), in which damn is replaced with other swear words, oaths, and expletives, or…
- In collocation with hair, esp. in (in) hide and hair: wholly, entirely; neither hide nor hair: nothing whatever. (So Dutch huid en haar.)
- zip1900–Nothing at all, zero; (in negative constructions) anything at all; the least thing. Cf. zilch, n.
- nixie1906–= nix, n.¹ B.a. rare.
- niente1908–Nothing (more), not anything. Also as int.
- damn all1910–Nothing at all, absolutely nothing.
- fuck-all1916–coarse slang. Nothing at all; (in negative constructions) anything at all; the least thing. Also sweet fuck all (cf. Fanny Adams, n. 2, S.F.A., n.).
- Fanny Adams1919–slang. Nothing at all. Chiefly in sweet Fanny Adams in the same sense.
- bugger-all1921–Nothing at all, absolutely nothing.
- S.F.A.1933–Sweet Fanny Adams (cf. F.A., n., Fanny Adams, n. 2).
- not a sausage1938–transferred and figurative. Colloquial phrase not a sausage (and variants), nothing at all.
- shit1949–Now chiefly coarse slang. In negative contexts: anything at all, the least thing. In positive contexts: nothing at all.
- zilch1956–Nothing at all, zero; (in negative constructions) anything at all; the least thing. Cf. zip, n.²
- eff-all1958–= fuck-all, n.
- sod all1958–Nothing at all, absolutely nothing.
- diddly-squat1963–As a count noun: a thing of little value or significance; esp. in not to give a diddly-squat. As a mass noun: nothing at all; (in negative…
- diddly1964–= diddly-squat, n.
- jack-all1965–Nothing at all; (in negative constructions) anything at all; the least thing. Cf. jackshit, n., jack squat, n.
- zippo1973–Nothing at all; nought, zero. Also as adj.: no, not any, zero. Cf. zip, n.², zilch, n.
- feck-all1975–= fuck-all, n.
- hee-haw1975–Scottish colloquial. Nothing at all, absolutely nothing.
- naff all1977–Nothing at all. Frequently euphemistic for fuck-all, n.
- jack squat1986–Nothing at all; (in negative constructions) anything at all. Cf. jack-all, n., jackshit, n.
- adjective
- 1.1958–Inferior, unsatisfactory; dull, unexciting. Now rare.
- 1958
Sunbathers all agreed that zilch was the word for Tappan Hall's sub-basement cocktail lounge.
Michiganensian vol. 62 320/2 - 1964
Two layers of meaning are conveyed..by zilch..and blah: both are adjectives applied to unsuccessful parties, though a blah party can be said to be somewhat worse.
American Speech vol. 39 119
the mind emotion suffering displeasure discontent or dissatisfaction [adjectives] causing discontent or unsatisfactory- unacceptable1483–Not acceptable.
- discontentive1578–1623Expressive of or characterized by discontent; (also) causing discontent.
- inacceptable1578–Not acceptable, unacceptable.
- discontenting1579–Causing discontent; dissatisfying; †displeasing (obsolete).
- discontentful1604–Full of or characterized by discontent; feeling or expressive of dissatisfaction; (formerly also) †causing discontent (obsolete).
- dissatisfactoryc1610–Not satisfactory; causing dissatisfaction or discontent; unsatisfactory; ‘unable to give content’ (Johnson).
- undigestable1612–(un-, prefix¹ affix 1b.)
- ungratifying1695–(un-, prefix¹ affix 4.)
- dissatisfying1709–That fails to satisfy, or renders unsatisfied.
- unsatisfactory1843–(un-, prefix¹ affix 1.)
- crook1898–Australian and New Zealand. Of things: bad, inferior; out of order, unsatisfactory; unpleasant, dreadful.
- daggy1956–Originally: contemptible, unacceptable. Now: uncool or awkward; unfashionable or outdated.
- zilch1958–Inferior, unsatisfactory; dull, unexciting. Now rare.
- lame1959–slang and colloquial (originally U.S.). Originally in African American usage. Contemptible; despicable; unacceptable.
the mind emotion suffering feeling of weariness or tedium [adjectives] wearisome or tedious not amusing or entertaining- unpleasant1558–1768Not humorous, jocular, or amusing. Obsolete.
- sportless1598–Devoid of, or lacking in, sport; characterized by the absence of sport.
- unridiculous1646–Not ridiculous.
- undistractinga1684–(un-, prefix¹ affix 4.)
- undiverting1695–(un-, prefix¹ affix 4.)
- unentertaining1695–(un-, prefix¹ affix 4.)
- indivertive1700Not divertive; not of an amusing or entertaining character or tendency.
- unamusive1755–(un-, prefix¹ affix 1.)
- unanimating1785–(un-, prefix¹ affix 4.)
- unamusing1794–(un-, prefix¹ affix 4.)
- unexciting1833–(un-, prefix¹ affix 4.)
- sober1838–Unexciting or uneventful; dull.
- unstimulating1844–(un-, prefix¹ affix 4.)
- zilch1958–Inferior, unsatisfactory; dull, unexciting. Now rare.
- 2.1969–In attributive use. Absolutely no; not any.Now the usual sense.
- 1969
A critical wowser that sold zilch copies.
Los Angeles Free Press 7 February 10 - 1977
Gorgeous faces but zilch talent.
Telegraph (Brisbane) 3 February 14/3 - 2018
There's zilch queuing time at these points.
Autocar (Nexis) 4 November
- nanyOld English–1450Not any, no.
- noneOld English–Not any; = no, adj. 1. Now archaic and Scottish (rare).
- none-kinsOld English–1500No kind of, not any, no.
- no (none) suchOld English–no (†none) such adj., rarely †no such a; absolute or as pronoun now only none such (cf. none such, no… No (person or thing) of the kind; none of the…
- nolate Old English–With a singular or plural noun. Not any. Accompanied by other negatives, with overall negative force (sometimes with more emphasis than a single…
- no kina1400–1598No kind of, not any, no.
- zero1823–In sense A.3a.
- nix1846–= no, adj. Esp. in phrases representing Anglicization of German phrases, as nix fish-tins, etc.
- nought1945–Zero; no, not any.
- bugger-all1948–Not any; absolutely no; very little.
- damn all1953–Absolutely no; not any. Also in weakened sense: very little.
- fuck-all1961–coarse slang. Absolutely no; not any. Also as an intensifier (cf. fucking, adj. A.2).
- eff-all1965–= fuck-all, adj.
- zilch1969–In attributive use. Absolutely no; not any.
- zip1969–Absolutely no; not any. Cf. zilch, adj. B.2.
- zippo1973–Nothing at all; nought, zero. Also as adj.: no, not any, zero. Cf. zip, n.², zilch, n.
- sod all1978–Not any; absolutely no; very little.
- negative1984–colloquial (originally U.S. Services' slang). Designating an absolute lack of something; = no, adj. 1b.
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
- 1900szilsch (rare)
- 1900s–zilch, ziltch
Frequency
zilch typically occurs about 0.03 times per million words in modern written English.
zilch is in frequency band 3, which contains words occurring between 0.01 and 0.1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands
Frequency of zilch, n. & adj., 1950–2010
* 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 |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 0.011 |
| 1960 | 0.017 |
| 1970 | 0.023 |
| 1980 | 0.027 |
| 1990 | 0.031 |
| 2000 | 0.037 |
| 2010 | 0.043 |
Frequency of zilch, n. & adj., 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 | 0.11 |
| 2018 | 0.11 |
| 2019 | 0.11 |
| 2020 | 0.11 |
| 2021 | 0.11 |
| 2022 | 0.11 |
| 2023 | 0.11 |
| 2024 | 0.11 |
Compounds & derived words
- zilch, v. 1957–transitive. To defeat (an opponent in a game or…