Zipperoni????

[chobin75]

Hi guys, I was recently watching an episode from Happy Days (I am from Italy) and one of the characters was using the expression "Nada, zipperoni" to formulate a negative answer. I know about "nada" but never heard of "zipperoni", anybody can help me?

[jessican3267]

It must be an old saying. I have never heard that expression used.

[Tdol]

It's a modified form of zip meaning nothing:
zip - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education

[chobin75]

Thanks a lot, now it makes sense!
Can you also tell me if it is customary to use the suffix "eroni" as in "zipperoni"; does it belong to a particular slang and is it often used to modify words?

[marmoset]

*just an assistant ESL teacher

I have only heard it pronounced with a long u sound, "-erooni".

It's not very common, but it is used here and there.

I only hear it or use it when I am joking around with friends or my husband.

ex: "You are correcterooni."

-Erooni; -Eroony from The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English | BookRags.com

[chobin75]

I see, in fact the context in which it was used was ironical (like using "nada" as a negative answer). Thanks a lot for your replies!

[Vidor]

Bear in mind that "Happy Days" is 30-40 years old and not the best source for keeping up to date on slang.

I too have only heard this with the double "o" long vowel sound, "zipperooni".

[chobin75]

I know that Happy Days is not recent, but I am a big fan .
Can you tell me exactly how you would pronounce "zipperooni" with a long oo (phonetic transcription if you can or a common word that rhymes with it). Thanks a lot!

[Vidor]

I know that Happy Days is not recent, but I am a big fan .
Can you tell me exactly how you would pronounce "zipperooni" with a long oo (phonetic transcription if you can or a common word that rhymes with it). Thanks a lot!

Long "oo" sound, boo, goo, who.

[chobin75]

Now it's clear.
Thanks!