z-a
ZA is slang for pizza, commonly used in casual American English. It's one of the most valuable 2-letter words in Scrabble, perfect for deploying the high-scoring Z tile.
11
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
ZA is American slang for pizza, representing the casual shortening that's become widespread in informal speech. This abbreviation emerged from American English's tendency to truncate common words, particularly in college campuses and casual dining contexts where "Let's grab some za" became a popular phrase.
The term gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly in college dormitories and casual social settings. While some consider it dated slang, it remains actively used in certain regions and demographics, especially among pizza enthusiasts and in casual dining establishments.
In word games, ZA has achieved legendary status. As one of only three two-letter words containing the Z tile (alongside ZO and ZE in some dictionaries), it's an essential tool for competitive players. The Z tile's 10-point value makes ZA a strategic goldmine, often determining the outcome of close games.
The word "za" is a classic example of American English clipping—the linguistic process of shortening longer words for convenience. Pizza becomes 'za through apheresis, where the beginning of the word is removed, leaving just the final syllable with a modified spelling.
This type of abbreviation follows patterns seen in other American slang: 'rents for parents, 'burbs for suburbs, or 'zine for magazine. The apostrophe traditionally used in such clippings ('za) has largely been dropped in casual usage and word games.
ZA's acceptance into official Scrabble dictionaries in the 1990s marked a significant moment in word game history. Its inclusion recognized both the evolution of American English and the strategic importance of two-letter words containing high-value tiles.
•ZA is essential for using the high-value Z tile in tight board positions
•The term became popular in American college dormitories
•It's one of the shortest valid words containing the letter Z
"Let's order some za for the game night — I'm thinking pepperoni and mushroom."
- Casual dining context
"I played ZA using the Z on a triple letter score — that's 31 points for just two letters!"
- Scrabble strategy
Total base points: 11 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 1
ZA is the most flexible two-letter Z word, making it indispensable for competitive play. The Z tile's 10-point value means even basic plays score well.
• Opening plays: ZA is an excellent opening word when you draw the Z
• Hook plays: Add to A words (AH→ZAH, AT→ZAT)
• Parallel plays: Create multiple words by playing alongside existing tiles
• Plural form: ZAS is valid, allowing for extensions
The transformation of "pizza" to "za" reflects American English's playful relationship with food terminology. This linguistic shortcut emerged during the 1980s pizza boom when pizzerias proliferated across American suburbs and pizza became a dietary staple.
College campuses particularly embraced "za," where late-night pizza orders were so common that efficiency in speech became valued. The term spread through movies and TV shows depicting college life, cementing its place in casual American vocabulary.
Regional variations exist: while "za" is understood nationwide, its usage frequency varies. It's most common in the Midwest and certain East Coast cities, while West Coast speakers might favor the full "pizza." Some pizzerias have even incorporated "za" into their branding, acknowledging this linguistic evolution.
Interestingly, "za" has resisted further evolution—attempts to create "zza" or other variants haven't caught on, suggesting that two letters represent the optimal balance between brevity and recognizability in slang formation.
ZA is pronounced "zah" (rhymes with "spa"), not "zay" or "zee-ay." The pronunciation mimics the ending sound of "pizza."
While perfectly valid in Scrabble, using "za" in formal writing or professional contexts may appear too casual. Reserve it for informal speech and word games.
Don't rush to play ZA just because you have a Z. Look for premium squares—placing the Z on a double or triple letter score dramatically increases your points.
1980s: "Za" emerges in college slang, particularly in dormitories
1990s: Added to official Scrabble dictionaries, legitimizing its use
2000s: Featured in comedy shows and movies as stereotypical "bro" speak
Today: Remains active in casual speech and dominates word game strategy
The word's journey from slang to dictionary demonstrates how info
rmal language can gain official recognition through widespread use.Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like ZA