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How would you spell...

Tiny NellTiny Nell
edited June 2016 in Writing
that word that means zing/enthusiasm:

pizazz?
pzazz?

Any suggestions?

Comments

  • snailmalesnailmale
    pizzazz
    pɪˈzaz/Submit
    nouninformal
    an attractive combination of vitality and glamour.
    "a summer collection with pizzazz"
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    Thank you, sm!
  • neilneil
    As well as the two examples you've given, the Penguin Concise (which is quite good on these sorts of word) gives as first choice pizzazz. Take your pick.
  • snailmalesnailmale
    always happy to oblige, TN
  • Baggy BooksBaggy Books
    Pizzazz as preferred option in 'Oxford Dictionary For Writers & Editors'. Second, pizazz.

  • Phots MollPhots Moll
    I now have the urge to eat pizza.
  • ClaudiaClaudia
    I now have the urge to eat pizza.
    Me too, but only if the pizza has plenty of pizzazz, i.e. zing.
  • LizLiz
    edited June 2016
    Looked in the same one as i notice Baggy did, but Chambers also has pizzazz first - then pizazz, then pazzazz, then pazazz....
  • Baggy BooksBaggy Books
    That's why it's essential to opt for one book as the first source.
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    Wowee woo.

    I got my answer, went back to my writing and just returned to see seven more comments. Thanks, folks! You are all great.
  • LizLiz
    edited June 2016
    If I'm looking for myself I always use Writers' and Editors', but just occasionally, actually quite often, it doesn't have what i want. I go to Strunk and White (of Charlotte's Web fame) for style. And Chambers for meaning. And history.
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    I don't know why I didn't think of looking at 'Writers and Editors'. I think I just thought it was too much of a made up word...
  • CarolCarol
    The issue is when you know the word exists but it isn't in Writers and Editors... :O
  • Baggy BooksBaggy Books
    That's when you work your way to the next reference book.
  • Mrs BearMrs Bear
    pizzazz, also pizazz, pazazz, pzazz; said to have been invented by Diana Vreeland of Harper's Bazaar, 1930s. (OED)

    My eye was immediately drawn to pizzle: the penis of an animal, especially a bull, formerly used for flogging people. (Not surprisingly it has its origins in Low German.) *mind goes off at a tangent*
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    Oh, Mrs Bear.
  • Baggy BooksBaggy Books
    *gulps*
  • Mrs BearMrs Bear
    Dictionary should have a warning on the cover: 'unsuitable reading for the easily-distracted'.
  • LizLiz
    They do dried pizzles for dogs. *shudders*
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    I hope I'm still safe eating Frazzles.
  • LizyLizy
    I thought that was a state of mind?
  • LizLiz
    I feel pizzled could be used ... for something...
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    You could write a shape poem about a pizzle in the drizzle...
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    There once was a long, stringy pizzle
    which caught light and started to sizzle.
    On hearing a shout,
    the cook pulled it out
    and put it to cool in the drizzle.
  • LizLiz
    Lol! That is SO RUDE.
  • LizLiz
    Or could be.
  • LizLiz
    But limericks should be rude.
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    Rude, Liz?

    It fell into the frying pan. That's not rude.

    It's all in your mind.

    *flicks feather duster over Liz's fine and flyaway hair*
  • heatherheather
    I started another much ruder one but it was too rude even for me.
    So I stopped.
    First time for everything.
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    Oh, go on, heather, then I can be the O:-)
  • heatherheather
    Like that would ever happen! =))
  • heatherheather
    Like that would ever happen! =))
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    Spoilsport.
  • heatherheather
    Gosh - I didn't mean to be that adamant!
  • LizLiz
    That is a lot of laughing.. and rolling about...
  • LizyLizy
    Laughing is good for the health.
  • heatherheather
    Well, it was very funny. I mean, Tiny Nell, an angel!! =))
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    *flutters*
  • snailmalesnailmale
    Be careful you don't choke on your halo, Blodders
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    It doubles as a hula hoop.
  • heatherheather
    Oh, it slipped, did it?
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    A bit...
  • Mrs BearMrs Bear
    Pizzaiolo. Saw it yesterday and thought of you. It's a man who makes pizza.
  • LizLiz
    What a fabulous name! It's almost worth being one just to bandy that around!
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