Word
zack
Phoneticsza·ck
/ˈzæk/
Definitions
01a sixpence coin
n. an old Australian name for a sixpence coin.
n. a historical Australian slang term for a sixpence coin, used before the decimalisation of currency.
“My grandfather told me he could buy a whole bag of sweets for a zack.”
“In the mid-twentieth century, a zack was a common unit of currency for small daily purchases among working-class Australians.”
Archaic · Dialect · Informal · British English
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'not worth a zack' to mean something is worthless.
Synonyms
02a prison sentence
n. a slang word for a prison sentence of six months or six years.
n. a slang term for a custodial sentence, specifically one lasting six months or six years.
“The old thief had served a zack in the state prison for his crimes.”
“The convict was released after serving a full zack, though the harsh conditions of the era had clearly taken their toll on his health.”
Archaic · Dialect · Slang
Real-World Examples
“Even the Green Party has criticised aspects of government policy, with its leader, Zack Polanski, saying the current approach to net zero is not delivering for ordinary people.”