zilch

Zilch is a term commonly used to denote nothing, zero, or a complete absence of something. It functions primarily as an informal noun, often appearing in contexts where emphasis is placed on the lack of quantity or existence. For example, one might say they have "zilch money" to express they have no money at all, or that a project yielded "zilch results" indicating a complete failure to achieve any outcome.

The word's origin is somewhat uncertain, but it is believed to have emerged in the United States in the early 20th century. Its phonetic construction, with the strong 'z' and the abrupt 'ch' sound, contributes to its dismissive and emphatic quality. It can also be used as an interjection to express disbelief or to dismiss a claim, similar to saying "no way" or "absolutely not." In some colloquial uses, zilch can also function as a verb, meaning to reduce something to nothing or to eliminate it entirely, though this usage is less common. Overall, zilch serves as a vibrant and informal way to communicate a state of absolute void.