To strike or move suddenly and quickly; to kill with electricity; to change channels quickly on a TV.
Likely imitative in origin, based on the sound of electricity or sudden movement. The word became common in the 20th century as electricity became part of everyday life. Modern usage expanded with television remotes and video games.
Zap is onomatopoeia—the word sounds like the action it describes—and it entered English exactly when electricity became dangerous enough to be both feared and fascinating, making it perfect for describing both lethal shocks and the harmless 'zap' of a remote control.
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