zilch

== English == === Etymology === Probably from Joe Zilch, a placeholder name (compare John Doe) used by Nunnally Johnson in his column in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle from 1923; in turn from Joe Zilch, an unseen character referenced in comedian Frank Tinney's stage routine. Compare the rare German surname Zilch. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, General American) enPR: zĭlch, IPA(key): /zɪlt͡ʃ/ Rhymes: -ɪltʃ === Noun === zilch (countable and uncountable, plural zilches) (countable, informal, archaic) A nobody: a person who is worthless in importance or character. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:nonentity 1931 July, Ballyhoo, Vol. I, No. 1, p. 1: President Henry P. Zilch. Chairman of the Board Charles D. Zilch. Treasurer Otto Zilch. 1932 February, Ballyhoo, Vol. II, No. 1: Bernarr MacZilch [for Bernarr Macfadden] and His Dynamic-Hooey System... The WEAKLING Who Became 'The World's Most Perfect Ass!' (uncountable, informal) Nothing, zero. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:nothing ==== Translations ==== === Adjective === zilch (not comparable) (informal, chiefly US) No, zero, non-existent. === Verb === zilch (third-person singular simple present zilches, present participle zilching, simple past and past participle zilched) (informal, US sports) To cause to score nothing, to thoroughly defeat. ==== Synonyms ==== shutout === References === Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “zilch”, in Online Etymology Dictionary. “zilch, n. (and adj.).”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986. “zilch, v.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.