Zapping

/ˈzæpɪŋ/ verb

Definition

Killing insects with electricity, or quickly changing channels with a remote control, or moving very quickly.

Etymology

Onomatopoeia imitating the sound of electricity or impact. The word emerged in the 20th century with the invention of electric bug zappers and remote controls.

Kelly Says

Zapping is a perfect example of a modern word born from technology—the 'zap' sound of an electric bug zapper became a verb, and then people started zapping TV channels, showing how onomatopoeia evolves with new inventions!

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