- The word zinger was probably formed through novel creation from the word “zing,” which represents a sound symbolism of quick, almost lightning-like speed. This speed can be seen in the meaning of the word because to successfully perform a zinger, one must complete the action (putting their arm through and back out again) before the other person notices and collapses the closed region (or traps the other persons hand between their arm and body. While this is mainly a game, it also causes one to become absurdly aware of their surroundings and posture, generally resulting in a huddled, collapses body posture to avoid being zingered.
zinger
verb; noun; other word formation type
The act of quickly flitting one’s arm in and out of a closed region formed by another person's posture (ex: when someone is power posing, the act of quickly putting one arm through and back out of one of the loops created between the arm and body)
Source : “Also idk who this is but he should get zingered” - text conversation with a friend 9/13/ 19 9:17 pm
Last modified: 16 December 2019