gazillion etymology

Etymology:

The word "gazillion" is a blending of the words "giga" and "zillion."

• "Giga" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "gigas" (γίγας), meaning "giant." It is used in the metric system to denote multiplication by 10^9 (one billion).
• "Zillion" is a slang term for an extremely large, but unspecified number. It is believed to have originated in the late 19th century and may be a corruption of the words "million" or "bazillion."

Meaning:

A "gazillion" colloquially refers to an extremely large, but often imprecise numerical quantity. It typically implies a number that is so vast that it is beyond precise measurement or comprehension.

Origin:

The precise origin of the term "gazillion" is unknown, but it is believed to have been coined in the early 20th century. Its first recorded use appeared in the American humor magazine "Life" in 1928. Since then, it has become a common slang term, especially in informal speech and writing.

Usage:

"Gazillion" is typically used in non-technical contexts and is not considered a precise mathematical term. It is often employed in a humorous or exaggerated manner to express the idea of a very large number. For example:

• "I've spent a gazillion dollars on clothes."
• "There were a gazillion people at the concert."
• "I have a gazillion things to do today."

gazillion relate terms

• billion

  Etymology of billion French billion Italian bilione Latin bilio Meaning an

• million

  Etymology Middle English milioun from Anglo Norman miliun from Old French million f

• giga

  Etymology The word giga derives from Greek gigas γίγας meaning giant Mea

• milliard

  Etymology The word milliard comes from the French word milliard which itself is der

• zillion

  Etymology From Middle English zillion from French zillion from Arabic ṣifr cipher

• jillion

  Etymology The word jillion is a nonstandard term for an extremely large but indefinite

• gazillion

  Etymology The word gazillion is a blending of the words giga and zillion Giga

• jillion

  Etymology The word jillion is a nonstandard term for an extremely large but indefinite

• million

  Etymology Middle English milioun from Anglo Norman miliun from Old French million f

• zillion

  Etymology From Middle English zillion from French zillion from Arabic ṣifr cipher

• gazillion

  Etymology The word gazillion is a blending of the words giga and zillion Giga

• million

  Etymology Middle English milioun from Anglo Norman miliun from Old French million f

• pirate

  Etymology The word pirate originates from the Greek word peiratēs πηρατής

• propaganda

  Etymology and Meaning The word propaganda comes from the Latin phrase propaganda fide

• eccentric

  Etymology Eccentric originates from the Latin word eccentricus which means out of th

• rise

  Etymology The word rise comes from the Old English verb rīsan which means to ascen

• gallery

  Etymology Latin galeria covered walkway Greek γαλέρωμα galērōma hoo

• surreptitious

  Etymology Surreptitious originates from the Latin word surrepticius which means sto

• blunt

  Etymology Middle English blont blunt Old English blund Proto Germanic blundaz Prot

• grammar

  Grammar Etymology From Old French grammaire from Medieval Latin grammatica borrowed f