zinger

plural zingers

1. CanadaUSinformalA very rapidly moving object, especially one that is thrown.

   The pitcher threw a real zinger and struck him out.

   1 more example

   On the first pitch from Kline, Lofton hits a zinger of a single into right field that J.D. Drew picks up on one bounce, and if he makes a good throw he has a chance to throw David Bell out at home plate.

   2008, Joseph Sutton, (Please provide the book title or journal name), →ISBN

2. CanadaUSinformalA surprising or unusually pointed, humorous and impressive insult or insulting quip.

   I wasn't looking to make friends; there had been too much animosity between us in the past, and maybe the guy had a zinger waiting on me.

   2007, Larry Groves, Seasons in Time, →ISBN, page 112

   2 more examples

   You might think it's almost worthwhile calling them and restarting the argument just to get that final zinger in. Why do you think of something good to say when it's too late?

   2012, Adam Fraser, The Third Space, →ISBN, page 124

   Boris Johnson is the most compelling personality in “Chums.” The shambolic style, the self-deprecating humor, the gift for zingers—it was all there in university, as was the elitist’s ambivalent approach to achievement.

   2022 May 14, David Segal, “An Outsider Takes an Inside Look at the Oxford ‘Chums’ Who Run the U.K.”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   Synonyms: one-liner

3. CanadaUSinformalAn event that when experienced leaves the witness dazed, either physically or metaphorically.

   I was still reeling from the zinger of seeing my ex on a date with my best friend.

4. CanadaUSinformalAn outstanding, energetic and surprising thing or person.

   Think about all the scientists—and all the microscopes and lab equipment and testing—that may come up with zero instead of a zinger.

   2006, Cathy Pickens, Done Gone Wrong, →ISBN

   1 more example

   They'd have to come up with a zinger for their Christmas windows to compete with that competitor's laughing Santa Claus and Stefan had that zinger in his proposal submitted to the President of the company.

   2006, Olivia Hillis Wimbrow, My Beloved Bohemian, →ISBN, page 130

5. CanadaUSA piece of food or drink that is tart and stimulating.

   Here, have a strawberry zinger and don't tell Mom and Dad that we had candy in the bedroom.

   2013, Paula Harrison, Rescue Princesses #5: The Snow Jewel, →ISBN

   2 more examples

   Gonna eat bran muffins till they close this bakery down I ain't been nothing but hungry since my baby ain't around I'm gonna mix red zinger with my ginseng tea I'm probably gonna gain about 20 pounds.

   1990, Tracy Drach, “Columbia Street Bakery Blues”, in Another Door

   “Want some—” he saluted her with one of Julia's delicate white cups and a wry arch of eyebrow, sipped and made a face “—lemon zinger tea?” At times like this she wished she was as outgoing as Nikki or gorgeous like Bailey or even a little wild and easy with men like Valery. But she was none of those things. She was plain Carrie, the librarian, wishing she could say something snappy and clever. “If you don't like lemon zinger, pick a different kind."

   2016, Linda Goodnight, The Rain Sparrow, →ISBN

plural Zingers

1. A surname.
2. A name used for several KFC products (e.g. Zinger Box).