When I lived in Manhattan in the 1980s, it was still the era of the telephone book.

Yes, younger readers: In ancient times, your primitive forbears actually had to look up personal and business numbers in a book! (The latter appeared in the “Yellow Pages,” a trademark once so common that it’s actually defined in many older dictionaries).

Now try to imagine the size of the New York City phone book! Though the population has grown since then, back in the eighties we used to joke, “Even if you’re one in a million—there are seven of you in New York.”

We also got a kick out of Mr. Arthur Zzzynadoti, who had apparently augmented his surname so that, for several years, he regularly landed at the very last spot in that weighty, sprawling tome.

I couldn’t help recalling that as Webb’s “Weird Words” wraps its ongoing look at X, Y and Z. Since I’ve got a whopping 20 terms beginning with our final letter, we’ll do 10 now, and save the rest for later.

Zabaglione (zah-bull-YO-nee, noun) – A whipped dessert or topping made from egg yolks, sugar and wine—usually Marsala. Also spelled zabaione (“zhah-buh-YO-nee”), this can be made with cognac; in the U.S., it is often served with fruit. (Merriam-Webster; Wikipedia)

Zaffer (ZAFF-ur, noun– From the venerable Collins English Dictionary: “impure cobalt oxide, used to impart a blue colour to enamels.” This word may be related to our better-known sapphire.

Zaftig (ZAFF-tig, adj.– A slang term used almost exclusively to describe women. It means “full-bodied, well-proportioned; having a pleasantly plump figure.” That’s from Dictionary.com, which also indicates that the word derives from a Yiddish term meaning “juicy, succulent.” (They said it—not me!)

Zamboni (zam-BO-nee, noun– Though “Weird Words” avoids trademarks and other proper nouns, I just had to include this machine that smooths off an ice rink before, during and after use. It is named for Frank J. Zamboni, a refrigeration specialist who invented the vehicle as a labor-saving device for his rink in Paramount, California (Wikipedia).

Zamindar (zuh-MEEN-dar, noun– In India, the owner or landlord of a large agricultural estate. Plural: zamindari. (Zamin is Indian for “land.”)

Zarf (ZARF, noun– Sounding for all the world like some disgusting bodily function, zarf is actually a Middle Eastern term designating the ornamental holder for a hot coffee cup. (As such, it beats java jacket—but not by much.)

Zebroid (ZEE-broid, adj.– “Related to or resembling a zebra,” says Merriam-Webster—which also offers a secondary definition for this word as a noun: “a hybrid between a male zebra and a female horse used as a work animal in some tropical areas because of its docility and its resistance to disease and heat injury.” Yeah, so now you’re gonna want pictures; thank God for Google.

Zemtsvo (ZEMST-voh, noun– In 19th-century tsarist Russia, a zemstvo was the council or assembly overseeing a provincial district. (Again, zemiya is Russian for “land.”)

Zeptosecond (ZEP-tuh-seh-kund, noun– One-sextillionth of a second. (That’s one over ten to the 21st power!) To borrow from Johnny Carson, this is the approximate length of time between when the traffic-light turns green and the guy behind you honks.

Zhuzh (a noun pronounced with the same consonant sound as the middle of measure—and the oo in book– Apparently just as tough to define as it is to say, a zhuzh is an appealing or lively addition that makes things just right (“I gave my hair a little zhuzh”). Also a verb for doing this.

That last definition is repeated from “Weird Words” almost exactly a year ago; but it’s such a killer Z-word that I just had to include it….

Believe it or not, I’ve still got 10 more dandies for our next time; so I guess I’ll “Z” you then!