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ZigZag Madness. Featuring the crooked dual path sliders: the ZigZag Bishop and the ZigZag Rook. (10x10, Cells: 100) [All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]

Larry Smith wrote on Tue, Nov 25, 2008 03:17 PM UTC:

For those who don't speak German, here is a translation from the previous anonymous post:

'The discussion over the Etymologie of ' Zickzack' in German is merry. A break makes only a serrating (/\), for a zigzag needs it many breaks (/\/\/\/\/\).' [Babel Fish]

Zacken is the verb for Zacke, which means 'jag'. So Zacken means 'jags' or 'to jag'. And 'einen Zacken' means 'jags together(or as one)'.

Although zack, Zacke and Zacken appear similar, they do slightly diverge in meaning.

So that statement is both incorrect and misleading in its attempt to both confuse and hide its meaning.

Another meaning for Zacke is 'tooth'. So that Zacken means 'to tooth' and 'einen Zacken' means 'to tooth together(or as one)'. So Zacke (/\) is not the same as Zacken (/\/\/\/\/\).

'Zack, zack' is the same as saying 'Chop, chop'. Or 'look sharp'. Or 'move, move'.

BTW, 'zickig' also can mean touchy or bitchy. ;-)