First, scissors that were used to cut zigzags were known as pinking shears.
Then, in the 16th century the dianthus flower became popular and became to be known as “pinks” because their petals were notched… like the zigzags cut by pinking shears.
And finally, the dianthus flower’s petals were a pale red color… which is how we today have the word pink.
Bam!! Art history in three sentences!