Word of the Day: ZILCH

Pronunciation: UK /zɪltʃ/
US /zɪltʃ/

Meaning

Zilch means nothing or zero. It is an informal word, usually used in casual speech and writing.

It can describe an amount, result, knowledge or anything else that amounts to nothing.

Examples for daily usage

  • I checked every shop, but found zilch.
  • He knows zilch about cricket.
  • We had zilch left in the budget after the trip.

Origin and history

The exact origin of zilch is uncertain. Dictionaries generally trace its modern use to American slang from the 20th century, with the sense “nothing” becoming established by the 1950s and 1960s.

One possible source is Mr Zilch, a fictional name used in the American humour magazine Ballyhoo, which began publication in 1931. The name was used for an ordinary or insignificant person. Earlier forms such as Joe Zilch also appeared in American slang.

Also Read: Word of the Day, October 04: ‘Xenodochy’ 

Cultural significance and modern usage

Zilch belongs to a group of informal English words used to mean nothing, including zip, nada, nix, nil and zero.

The word can also be used in sports to mean a score of zero, particularly in American and Canadian usage.

Interesting facts

Zilch can be used as a noun, as in “I got zilch”.

It can also work informally as an adjective, as in “zilch interest”.

Older American slang used Zilch as a name for an insignificant or ordinary person before the word developed its familiar “nothing” meaning.

Examples from literature

  • “If the homeless wind up with zilch,” James retorted, veiling his indignation behind a malevolent smile, “it's because they deserve zilch.”— One Good Turn, Judith Arnold

Synonyms

  • Nothing
  • Zero
  • Nil
  • Nada

Antonyms

  • Everything
  • Plenty
  • All

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