Etymology Probably from Joe Zilch, a placeholder name (compare John Doe) used by Nunnally Johnson in his column in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle from 1923; in turn from Joe Zilch, an unseen character referenced in comedian Frank Tinney's stage routine. Compare the rare German surname Zilch.
1
Archaic, Informal A nobody: a person who is worthless in importance or character.
President Henry P. Zilch. Chairman of the Board Charles D. Zilch. Treasurer Otto Zilch.1931 July, Ballyhoo, Vol. I, No. 1, p. 1
Bernarr MacZilch [for Bernarr Macfadden] and His Dynamic-Hooey System... The WEAKLING Who Became 'The World's Most Perfect Ass!'1932 February, Ballyhoo, Vol. II, No. 1
1 more example
Dinglegoofer, Mr. Zilch, indefinite nicknames.1940, Lester V. Berrey et al., The American Thesaurus of Slang, §184:
Her search for decent home-made winter clothes came up with zilch, so she had to get imported stuff.
"If the homeless wind up with zilch," James retorted, veiling his indignation behind a malevolent smile, "it's because they deserve zilch."1991, Judith Arnold, One Good Turn, page 104:
zilch
adj
Etymology Probably from Joe Zilch, a placeholder name (compare John Doe) used by Nunnally Johnson in his column in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle from 1923; in turn from Joe Zilch, an unseen character referenced in comedian Frank Tinney's stage routine. Compare the rare German surname Zilch.
Zilch, adj. Nothing, zero...1966, University of South Dakota, Current Slang:
...gorgeous faces but zilch talent...1977 February 3, The Telegraph, page 14:
zilch
verb
Etymology Probably from Joe Zilch, a placeholder name (compare John Doe) used by Nunnally Johnson in his column in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle from 1923; in turn from Joe Zilch, an unseen character referenced in comedian Frank Tinney's stage routine. Compare the rare German surname Zilch.
1
Hobbies, Lifestyle, SportsUS, Informal To cause to score nothing, to thoroughly defeat.
We zilched them on that rubber.1969, University of South Dakota, Current Slang:
My favorite film of 1989 got zilched... That would be Field of Dreams.1990 April 2, USA Today, page 20: