Struck suddenly with electricity or energy, or killed something quickly, or moved very fast.
Onomatopoeia—the word imitates the sound of electricity crackling. First appeared in American English in the 1920s-30s, gained popularity with electric appliances and comic book 'zap' sounds.
Onomatopoeia words like 'zap' feel satisfying because your mouth makes the same shape and sound that the action creates—saying 'zap' physically feels like electricity compared to saying 'electrocuted.'
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