zhuzhy, adj.

zhuzhy
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zhuzhy_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 2020

# zhuzhyadjective

## Factsheet

### What does the adjective zhuzhy mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the adjective zhuzhy. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

### How is the adjective zhuzhy pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈʒʊʒi/
ZHUUZH-ee
/ˈʒʊʃi/
ZHUUSH-ee

#### U.S. English

/ˈʒʊʒi/
ZHUUZH-ee
/ˈʒʊʃi/
ZHUUSH-ee

### Where does the adjective zhuzhy come from?

Earliest known use

1960s

The earliest known use of the adjective zhuzhy is in the 1960s.

OED's earliest evidence for zhuzhy is from 1968, in the Stage.

zhuzhy is probably formed within English, by derivation.

Etymons: zhuzh n., zhuzh v., ‑y suffix1.

### Nearby entries

1. zeuxite, n. 1836–
2. zeze, n. 1860–
3. Zhdanovism, n. 1958–
4. Zhdanovist, adj. 1966–
5. Zhdanovite, adj. 1957–
6. zho, n. 1841–
7. zhomo, n. 1841–
8. zhuyin zimu, n. 1938–
9. zhuzh, n. 1968–
10. zhuzh, v. 1970–
11. zhuzhy, adj.1968–
12. ziamet, n. 1807–
13. ziarat, n. 1776–
14. zibeline, n. 1585–
15. zibet, n. 1594–
16. zibet-muff, n. 1685
17. zibib, n. 1836–
18. ziczac, n. 1844–
19. zidovudine, n. 1987–
20. Ziegfeld, n. 1913–
21. Ziegler, n. 1957–

## Etymology

### Summary

Probably formed within English, by derivation.
Etymons: zhuzh n., zhuzh v., ‑y suffix1.
Probably either (i) < zhuzh n. + ‑y suffix1,

or (ii) < zhuzh v. + ‑y suffix1 (although the verb is first attested slightly later).

For further discussion, see zhuzh v.

## Meaning & use

slang.

1. 1968–
   Stylish, attractive, exciting. Also sometimes: flamboyant, showy.
   In early use chiefly among gay men, apparently in Polari slang.
   1. 1968

      > Lady Bright is a brilliant creation—a wild, zhooshy quean.

      Stage 25 April 13/2
   2. 1970

      > A zhooshy quean is a grand quean.

      P. Burton, Lang. of their own: Polari, West End Homosexual Slang (typescript) (OED Archive) p. ii
   3. 1993

      > Gareth wears a pillbox hat and a very zhuzhy jacket.

      TV Quick 23 January (Central Region edition) 6/4
   4. 2007

      > I've got this new scarf I bought in Melbourne, so I looked, you know, zhooshy enough.

      Daily Telegraph (Australia) (Nexis) 23 June 16
   5. 2018

      > My fave show of the year. It's just SO wonderful. Just the classiest, zhuzhiest, cleverest, most perfect..production.

      @TinuCraig 22 December in twitter.com (accessed 7 May 2020)
   colloquial and slang
   1. beglamoured 1840–
   2. glamorous 1881–
      Attractive or appealing in an exciting way, esp. because out of the ordinary or suggestive of a more colourful or thrilling way of life.
   3. glammy 1936–
      Glamorous.
   4. oomphy 1955–
      Strong, powerful; (esp. of a woman) sexy, glamorous.
   5. glam 1956–
      Glamorous, esp. glamorously attractive or desirable. Cf. glamorous, adj. 2a.
   6. zhuzhy 1968–
      Stylish, attractive, exciting. Also sometimes: flamboyant, showy.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. rank Old English
      Showy, ostentatious. Obsolete.
   2. peacockly?a1425–
      Ostentatious, peacockish.
   3. ruffling 1531–1870
      Of conduct, speech, etc.: characterized by ruffling (in various senses: see ruffle, v.²); spec. swaggering, arrogant. Obsolete.
   4. garish 1545–
      Of dress, ornament, ceremonial, etc.: Obtrusively or vulgarly bright in colour, showy, gaudy.
   5. peacockish 1551–
      Like or characteristic of a peacock; ostentatious, vain.
   6. peacock-like 1576–
      Like or characteristic of a peacock; ostentatious.
   7. ostentatious 1590–
      Of actions, events, qualities, etc.: performed, exercised, or displayed in a manner calculated to attract attention or admiration; pretentious…
   8. fastuous?1591–
      Having or characterized by excessive pride, vanity, or self-importance; haughty, arrogant; pompous.
   9. flaring 1593–1861
      Of the hair, etc.: Spreading out or waving conspicuously, flaunting. Of a mirror: Giving a bulging or enlarged outline; exaggerating. Obsolete.
   10. flantitanting 1596
       Flaunting.
   11. ostentive 1599–1736
       = ostentatious, adj.
   12. ostentative 1601–
       = ostentatious, adj. (in various senses).
   13. showful 1607–
       Gaudy, ostentatious, showy.
   14. flourishable 1614
       Adapted to flourish or make a display.
   15. flourishing 1616–
       Of persons and their actions: Boasting, swaggering, ostentatious.
   16. flaunting 1624–
       Waving gaily or proudly like a plume or a banner.
   17. ostentous 1624–87
       = ostentatious, adj.
   18. ostentatory 1638–
       Intended to attract attention or admiration; = ostentatious, adj. 1.
   19. swash a1640–
       ‘Swell’, ‘swagger’, showy. dialect.
   20. fanfaron 1670–
       attributive or adj. Braggart, boastful.
   21. gallantish 1675–
       Showy, stylish; (also) playful, flirtatious.
   22. paradeful 1748–
       Full of display, ostentatious.
   23. ostensible 1782–
       That presents itself to or is open to view; visible, noticeable; conspicuous, ostentatious. Now rare.
   24. epideictic 1790–
       Adapted for display or show-off; chiefly of set orations.
   25. fandangous 1797–
       Pompous, showy.
   26. flashy 1801–
       Showy, fine-looking; gaudy, glaring.
   27. affiché 1818–
       Characterized by flamboyant or showy display; extravagant, ostentatious. Cf. afficher, v. 1.
   28. show-off 1818–
       That is a show-off (sense A.2); given to or characterized by showing off; ostentatious, showy. Also: sufficiently impressive, fashionable…
   29. splashing 1820–
       Causing some stir or sensation; making something of a display.
   30. flaunty 1825–
       Of persons: Given to display or show, ostentatious, vain.
   31. splash-and-dash 1830–
       Making much fuss and show.
   32. pretentious 1832–
       Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed; making an exaggerated outward display; ostentatious, showy.
   33. flash 1836–
       Gaudy, showy, smart. Of persons: Dashing, ostentatious, swaggering, ‘swell’. Also Flash Harry: see Harry, n.² I.2b.
   34. splashy 1836–
       Making a show or stir; attracting attention; sensational. Cf. splash, n.¹ 2d.
   35. pretenceful 1841–
       Pretentious; ostentatious, pompous.
   36. swanky 1842–
       Swaggering; ‘swagger’, pretentiously grand. Also, boastful. Of things: imposing, stylish, ‘posh’.
   37. peacocky 1844–
       Resembling or suggesting a peacock, esp. in bearing or display; ostentatious, strutting.
   38. fantysheeny 1847–
       Showy, fancy, or ostentatious.
   39. splurgy 1852–
       Showy, ostentatious.
   40. cheesy 1858–64
       Ostentatious or showy.
   41. pretensive a1868–
       Chiefly U.S. Pretentious, ostentatious, snobbish.
   42. duchessy 1870–
       Like or of the nature of a duchess; abounding in duchesses.
   43. swagger 1879–
       Showily or ostentatiously equipped, etc.; smart or fashionable in style, manner, appearance, or behaviour; ‘swell’.
   44. lavish 1882–
       Of food, clothing, decoration, etc.: sumptuous, rich, luxurious, extravagant. Also transferred.
   45. splurging 1884–
   46. show-offy 1890–
       = show-off, n. B
   47. razzmatazz 1900–
       Showy, ostentatious; glamorous, stylish; dazzling. Cf. razzle-dazzle, adj.
   48. show-offish 1903–
       = show-off, n. B
   49. whoop-de-do 1904–
       That makes a striking spectacle or creates a big impression; flashy, showy; impressive. Often used disparagingly, implying ostentation or…
   50. Ritz 1908–
       Luxurious; ostentatious; = ritzy, adj. Now rare.
   51. split-arse 1917–
       Forces' slang (originally Air Force slang). Classy, showy; (of an airman) reckless, that performs stunts; (of aircraft) having good manœuvrability.
   52. swanking 1918–
       That swanks; boastful, ostentatious, pretentious.
   53. ritzy 1919–
       Stylish, glamorous, classy; ostentatious, gaudy.
   54. fantoosh 1920–
       Fancy, showy, flashy; stylish, sophisticated; fashionable, exotic. Often used disparagingly, implying ostentation or pretentiousness.
   55. knock-me-down 1922–
       Such as to knock one down (literal or figurative); violent, riotous; overbearing, defiant; prostrating, overpowering.
   56. showboating 1936–
       In early use: that performs on a showboat. Later: characterized by or given to performing or showing off, esp. in public; flamboyant, exhibitionist.
   57. showboat 1939–
       colloquial. Characterized by or given to performing or showing off; ostentatious, exhibitionist.
   58. hellzapoppin' 1945–
       Hectic, chaotic; extremely eventful, action-packed, exciting; ostentatious, flashy. Cf. pop, v.¹ 3e.
   59. zazzy 1961–
       Flashy, colourful, vivid; stylish, striking.
   60. glitzy 1966–
       Characterized by glitter or extravagant show; ostentatious, glamorous; hence, tawdry, gaudy; glitteringly spectacular, but in poor taste. Cf. glitt…
   61. sploshy 1966–
       = splashy, adj.² 3.
   62. zhuzhy 1968–
       Stylish, attractive, exciting. Also sometimes: flamboyant, showy.
   63. noncy 1989–
       Pretentious, affected; overly fancy.
   64. bling 1999–
       Ostentatious, flashy; designating flamboyant jewellery or dress. Also: that glorifies conspicuous consumption; materialistic.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈʒʊʒi/
ZHUUZH-ee
/ˈʒʊʃi/
ZHUUSH-ee

### U.S. English

/ˈʒʊʒi/
ZHUUZH-ee
/ˈʒʊʃi/
ZHUUSH-ee

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

1. 1900s–
   zhooshy, zhoozhy, zhuzhy
2. 2000s–
   jujy, zhushy

zhuzhy, adj. was first published in December 2020.

zhuzhy, adj. was last modified in July 2023.