Dictionary

zerk en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /zɜːk/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /zɝk/ (General-American)

Etymology

After Austrian-born American inventor Oscar U. Zerk.

Meanings

1. Any of a class of types of grease nipples, or an instance thereof; (usually, in current usage) any grease nipple.
   • The moral is, if you don't keep grease in those zerks, you're going to be replacing some expensive parts. To grease through a zerk, you simply push the business end of a grease gun onto the zerk—it will pop right on with a little pressure—and work the handle until a bit of grease can be seen oozing out of the joint you are lubricating. 2005, Roger Welsch, From Tinkering to Torquing, page 99:
   • Figure 14.12 Wipe off the end of a zerk fitting before attaching the grease gun. 2014, Tim Gilles, Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair, 5th edition, page 206:
   • A lot depends on which type of greaseable U-joint we are talking about. There are two basic types, those that have a zerk fitting at the center of the cross and those that are drilled but have the zerk in the cap. A tiny hole drilled down the center of a U-joint has no effect on strength but a zerk at the cross does. 2007, Jim Allen, Jeep 4X4 Performance Handbook, page 97:

Forms

wikidata: Q1687894