zipper

zipper
zip·per (zĭp’ər)
n. ▸ A fastening device consisting of parallel rows of metal or plastic teeth on adjacent edges of an opening that are interlocked by a sliding tab.
tr. & intr.v. zip·pered, zip·per·ing, zip·pers ▸ To fasten or unfasten or become fastened or unfastened with a zipper; zip.
╂ [Originally a trademark.]
Word History: Registered in 1925, zipper was originally a B.F. Goodrich trademark for overshoes with fasteners. A Goodrich executive is said to have slid the fastener up and down on the boot and exclaimed, "Zip 'er up," echoing the sound made by this clever device. Zip already existed as both a noun and verb referring to a light sharp sound or to motion accompanied by that kind of sound (zip was first recorded as a noun in 1875; as a verb, in 1852). Both words were imitations of the sound made by a rapidly moving object. As the fastener that "zipped" came to be used in other articles, its name was used as well. B.F. Goodrich sued to protect its trademark but was allowed to retain proprietary rights only over Zipper Boots. Zipper itself had moved into the world of common nouns.

Word Histories. 2014.

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  • Zipper — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Alois Zipper (1875–1932), deutscher Politiker (Zentrum) Herbert Zipper (1904–1997), österreichischer Komponist, Dirigent und Musikpädagoge Kurt Zipper (1906–1952), deutscher Finanzbeamter und Politiker… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • zipper — [ zipe ] v. tr. <conjug. : 1> • 1965; de zip ♦ Munir d une fermeture à glissière. P. p. adj. Blouson zippé. Bottillons zippés. ● zipper verbe transitif (de Zip) Équiper d une fermeture à glissière un vêtement, un sac, une trousse. zipper… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • zipper — chiefly N. Amer. ► NOUN ▪ a zip fastener. ► VERB ▪ fasten with a zipper …   English terms dictionary

  • zipper — ☆ zipper [zip′ər ] n. 1. a person or thing that zips 2. a device used to fasten and unfasten two adjoining edges of material, as on the placket of a dress, the fly of a pair of trousers, etc.: it consists of two rows of tiny interlocking tabs… …   English World dictionary

  • zipper — → zíper …   Diccionario panhispánico de dudas

  • zipper — (n.) 1925, probably an agent noun from ZIP (Cf. zip) (v.1). The trademark taken out on the name that year applied to a boot with zippers, not to the lightning fastener itself, which was at first called a zip …   Etymology dictionary

  • Zipper — A zipper (English: zip fastener or zip) is a popular device for temporarily joining two edges of fabric. It is used in clothing (e.g. jackets and jeans), luggage and other bags, sporting goods, camping gear (e.g., tents and sleeping bags), and… …   Wikipedia

  • zipper — zipperless, adj. /zip euhr/, n. 1. Also called slide fastener. a device used for fastening clothing, valises, etc., consisting of two toothed tracks or spiral metal or plastic coils, each bordering one of two edges to be joined, and a piece that… …   Universalium

  • Zipper — Zịp|per 〈engl. [zı̣p ] m. 3; Mode〉 Reißverschluss ● taillierte Jacken mit aufwendigem Zipper [engl.] * * * Zịp|per, der; s, [engl. zipper, zu: zip = Reißverschluss] (salopp): Reißverschluss. * * * Zịp|per, der; s, [engl. zipper, zu: zip =… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • zipper — [ zɪpə] unzip a zipper zip up a zipper a zipper gets stuck to undo (AE) to do up (BE) …   Combinatory dictionary

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