Literary notes about zing (AI summary)
In literature, zing functions as a multifaceted term, often used both as onomatopoeia and as a marker for lively, spirited action. In some passages it echoes the sharp, sudden sound of things like a spent bullet or an unexpected event—as when the “zing” of a rifle bullet fills the air ([1], [2])—while in others it lends a musical or rhythmic quality to the language, suggesting hints of melody and energy in both dialogue and verse ([3], [4]). The term’s versatility even extends to playful or colloquial exchanges, where it punctuates speech with a burst of spirited humor, evoking a tangible sense of immediacy and excitement ([5], [6]).
- The words had hardly passed from his lips when there sang over their heads the "zing" of a rifle bullet.
— from The Nightriders' Feud by Walter Caruth McConnell - A rifle bullet had pinged against a rock close at hand, and ricochetted off with a weird zing—g—g—g , followed by the report of a rifle.
— from Grace Harlowe's Overland Riders on the Old Apache Trail by Josephine Chase - And now you shall zing to me, and play me some music," said he, opening the piano and arranging the stool and music.
— from The Von ToodleburgsOr, The History of a Very Distinguished Family by F. Colburn (Francis Colburn) Adams - He just took the ball in his hand, looked at it curiously for a moment, and fired it—zing!—like that, over the plate.
— from Buttered Side Down: Stories by Edna Ferber - She thought of how, at eleven o'clock the night before, her telephone had rung with the sharp zing! of trouble.
— from Cheerful—By Request by Edna Ferber - It looked as if we were going to win the game, and then zing!
— from Pitching in a Pinch; or, Baseball from the Inside by Christy Mathewson
