zip
Nothing at all — or, as a verb, to tear off somewhere fast.
Updated September 24, 2026
zip pronunciation
/ZIP/
Meaning
In redneck talk, zip most often means zero. You got zip for supper money, zip left in the tank, zip to show for the trip. Same mouth also uses zip as a verb for hustling somewhere quick: zip down to the feed store before it closes. Context tells you which one you heard.
How folks use it
- “He worked all week and came home with zip.”
- “I'm gonna zip over to the grocery before the storm hits.”
Origin and etymology
American slang for nothing, tied to the sound of zero and cousins like zilch. The "move fast" verb sense comes from the same zip sound of something shooting past. Neither sense started as strictly Southern, but both live easy in rural porch and truck talk.
Frequently asked questions
Does zip always mean nothing?
No. As a noun it usually means nothing. As a verb it often means hurry somewhere. Listen for whether somebody is empty-handed or already halfway out the door.