Thursday 16 April 2015

Zinger (April)


Certainly related to “Zing! Went the strings of my heart” (Judy Garland, 1934), though onomatopoeia for the sound of a harp. Zing, a cartoon word, unknown in early OED. American for energy and vigour, but 2. Abuse. Then, 4. A witticism delivered with speed and force. So, a wisecrack or punchline, but note the American connection with Abuse. Ears of Melbourne theatres spend April living off zingers. As for the rest, take it or leave it. Not all zingers are words, but. Billy Connolly’s deadpan look, for example, had the whole place helpless with laughter. How did he do it?

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