Quidnunc
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| Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 12:49 am
Post subject: Re: zap |
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"Pat Durkin" <durk183@sbcglobal.com> wrote in message
news:PD2cf.25286$6e1.22857@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com...
| Quote: |
"chris" <hyx1999@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1131455147.396692.160470@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
hello
what could it mean in colloquial speech except for its literal meaning?
I would also like to know its origin if any.
First: You should really get yourself a dictionary, whether it be a paper
one or an electronic one. Try this link, and keep it in your Favorites.
It is basically an American English dictionary.
http://www.m-w.com/
Secondly: You should really provide your source, the sentence or
definition which you label as "literal meaning". Why? Because, this word
, I would argue, doesn't have a "literal meaning". It starts out as being
"imitative" of sounds heard in parts of the English-speaking world. It
could, of course be a surname, but I would not expect such a name to be of
English origin.
From M-W-Online: "Main Entry: 1zap
Pronunciation: 'zap
Function: interjection
Etymology: imitative
1 -- used to express a sound made by or as if by a gun"
(I would add here, that the first sound I think of is that of the "zap" of
an electrical apparatus. We call some electrical fly-killers zappers.
However, the pop of some firecrackers and guns can also be imitated by
expressing this "word".)
"2 -- used to indicate a sudden or instantaneous occurrence "
It's also used as a shorthand for patients undergoing radio-therapy |
treatment who refer to it as "being zapped" or just "zapping". This occurs
when the operatives all run for cover behind the lead screens for the period
of treatment.
JJ |
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