ZZZZZZZ's used to describe asleep in cartoons

[merton69]

In all cartoons etc. why is it that the letter Z is used for being asleep?

What is the meaning behind the letter Z in this instance, and not, say for example the letter S?

Thanks AB'ers

[swedeheart]

This is just a guess: Sawing timber is a metaphor for snoring I believe. Perhaps the shape of a Z is considered to resemble the movement of the saw...?

[swedeheart]

(and of course the respiratory movement as such and the abrupt stopping and starting again...)

[merton69]

Swede!

Thanks for the suggestion. I must say your answer is quite technical and indepth for something as basic as a cartoon.

[swedeheart]

I would say that using Z's for sleep/snoring is a form of image onomatop�ia
(Doesn't Z seem more right to you than S?)

[Quizmonster]

The earliest recorded use of the letter to represent any buzzing sound was in a book published in the 1850s by the American writer, Thoreau. He wrote, "The dry z-ing of the locust is heard." Not until the 1920s was it used specifically to stand for snoring.
I'd say SH's last response above is the answer...ie zzz just sounds like mild snoring.

[jno]

the S sound is used to represent hissing, so in effect it's already taken.

[kia cat]

not sure which came first [ie cartoon or saying], but where I used to work, grabbing a few hours kip was called "�getting some zeds in �"