zhuzh, v.

zhuzh
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zhuzh_v%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 2006

# zhuzhverb

## Factsheet

### What does the verb zhuzh mean?

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

### How common is the verb zhuzh?

About 0.02occurrences per million words in modern written English

2017 | 0.0023
2018 | 0.0049
2019 | 0.0076
2020 | 0.012
2021 | 0.02
2022 | 0.027
2023 | 0.03
2024 | 0.034

### How is the verb zhuzh pronounced?

#### British English

/ʒʊʒ/
zhuuzh
/ʒʊʃ/
zhuush

#### U.S. English

/ʒʊʒ/
zhuuzh
/ʒʊʃ/
zhuush

### Where does the verb zhuzh come from?

Earliest known use

1970s

The earliest known use of the verb zhuzh is in the 1970s.

OED's earliest evidence for zhuzh is from 1970, in the writing of P. Burton.

It is also recorded as a noun from the 1960s.

zhuzh is perhaps an imitative or expressive formation.

### Nearby entries

1. Zeuxis-like, adj. 1665–
2. zeuxite, n. 1836–
3. zeze, n. 1860–
4. Zhdanovism, n. 1958–
5. Zhdanovist, adj. 1966–
6. Zhdanovite, adj. 1957–
7. zho, n. 1841–
8. zhomo, n. 1841–
9. zhuyin zimu, n. 1938–
10. zhuzh, n. 1968–
11. zhuzh, v.1970–
12. zhuzhy, adj. 1968–
13. ziamet, n. 1807–
14. ziarat, n. 1776–
15. zibeline, n. 1585–
16. zibet, n. 1594–
17. zibet-muff, n. 1685
18. zibib, n. 1836–
19. ziczac, n. 1844–
20. zidovudine, n. 1987–
21. Ziegfeld, n. 1913–

## Etymology

### Summary

Of uncertain origin. Perhaps an imitative or expressive formation.
Of uncertain origin. Perhaps ultimately an expressive formation (compare e.g. whoosh v., swish adj., and use in similar senses and constructions of e.g. zing v. and zap v.).

Compare from a similar date the related…
Of uncertain origin. Perhaps ultimately an expressive formation (compare e.g. whoosh v., swish adj., and use in similar senses and constructions of e.g. zing v. and zap v.).

Compare from a similar date the related zhuzh n., zhuzhy adj., although the relative priority of the three words is unclear.

### Notes

The etymology of this word, and of the related noun and adjective, is uncertain and disputed; a number of suggestions have been made, but none of them is entirely unproblematic or confirmed beyond doubt by the available evidence.
Derivation from a Romani verb in the sense ‘to clean’ or a corresponding adjective has been proposed (compare e.g. Hungarian Romani shuzo, British Romani yuzho clean, pure), but this presents both phonological and semantic difficulties, and supporting evidence appears to be lacking.
Dict. South African Eng. connects the present word and the corresponding noun and adjective with South African English slang terms for ‘excellent, smart, attractive’ derived from regional pronunciations of Jewish adj., which appear to have been motivated by the high reputation of Jewish tailors and tailoring (perhaps compare quot. 1968 at zhuzh n., apparently in the sense ‘clothing’). However, this is difficult to reconcile with the earliest documentation for zhuzh v. and related words, which suggests a British context, and no evidence has been found for a corresponding sense or pronunciation of Jewish adj. outside South Africa.

## Meaning & use

slang.

1. 1970–
   transitive. To smarten up (someone or something); to make (something) more stylish, attractive, or exciting. Also with up.
   Originally used among gay men, apparently in Polari slang.
   1. 1970

      > A zhooshy quean is a grand quean, to zhoosh up is to get ready.

      P. Burton, Lang. of their own: Polari, West End Homosexual Slang (typescript) (OED Archive) p. ii
   2. 1977

      > As feely homies..we would zhoosh our riahs, powder our eeks, climb into our bona new drag, don our batts and troll off to some bona bijou bar.

      Gay News 2 June 23/1
   3. 1988

      > Mostly the words are dusted off and brought out when we wish to zhoosh up a conversation, to announce a particular delight in our queenly style.

      N. Bartlett, Who was that Man? iv. 82
   4. 1990

      > In 1815 the Prince had employed John Nash, architect of Regent's Park, to zhoosh up his rather plain and classical farmhouse by the sea.

      Gay Times March 25/3
   5. 2020

      > We're here to help you zhuzh up your Zoom background with some [‘glowing star’ emoji] inspiring images!

      @greenpeaceusa 2 May in twitter.com (accessed 7 May 2020)
   colloquial and slang
   1. hight a1200–1658
      transitive. To beautify, adorn, embellish (literal and figurative); to enhance, improve. Cf. hightle, v.
   2. atiffe?c1225–50
      To adorn, deck (the person).
   3. tiff?c1225–1768
      transitive. To attire, dress, deck out, trick out, ‘tittivate’ (one's person, hair, etc.). (In 18th cent. like French attifer, usually familiar.)
   4. wyndre?a1366
      transitive. To trim, deck, or embellish (oneself, the brows, etc.).
   5. kemb c1386–
      figurative. To trim, make smooth or elegant.
   6. pick a1393–
      transitive. To make clean, trim, or neat; to titivate. Now only: spec. (of a bird) to preen. Frequently reflexive. Also intransitive with…
   7. prune c1395–1892
      Of a person. Cf. preen, v.² 1. transitive. To tidy (the hair, clothes, etc.) with great attention to detail; to smarten or spruce up; to primp…
   8. tift a1400–
      transitive. To prepare, make ready, put in order; to dress.
   9. varnish c1405–
      transferred. To invest with a bright or glossy appearance; to smear or stain with some substance similar to varnish.
   10. fine a1425–1703
       transitive. To make beautiful or elegant; to smarten up. Obsolete.
   11. tiffle a1425
       transitive. To dress up, adorn, deck or trick out (in a trifling or time-wasting way). Obsolete.
   12. quaint 1484
       transitive (reflexive). To adorn oneself; to make oneself fine or beautiful. rare.
   13. embud a1529
       transitive. To cover as with buds.
   14. trick?1532–
       transitive. To dress, array, attire; to deck, prank; to adorn (usually with the notion of artifice). Const. with, in. Also intransitive with it. Also…
   15. dill 1548–1616
       transitive. To trim, deck, dress up. (Also absol.)
   16. trick a1555–
       Often strengthened with up, off, out.
   17. prink 1573–
       colloquial. transitive. To make tidy, spruce, or smart; to dress up, deck out, adorn. Frequently reflexive. Also figurative.
   18. primp c1586–
       transitive. To make (the hair, clothes, etc.) neat and tidy; to smarten (something) up. Also reflexive: to neaten one's appearance, esp. in a fussy…
   19. smug 1588–
       transitive. To smarten up (oneself or another, one's appearance, etc.); to make neat, spruce, or attractive. Frequently with up.
   20. sponge 1588–1627
       With up: To make spruce, smart, or trim.
   21. smudge 1589–96
       transitive. To make smart or trim; to deck or trick up.
   22. perk 1590–1868
       transitive. To make attractive, neat, or smart; to deck out; to brighten or embellish. Chiefly with up. Obsolete.
   23. sponge 1592–94
       Similarly without up. Obsolete.
   24. tricksy 1598
       transitive. To make ‘tricksy’ or spruce.
   25. prime 1616–1782
       transitive. colloquial. To make up (the face, etc.) with cosmetics. Obsolete.
   26. sprug 1622–1875
       transitive. To smarten (a person) up; to dress (a person) smartly or attractively. Also reflexive.
   27. brisk a1625–1710
       transitive. To smarten up; to dress finely, to trim. Obsolete.
   28. to sleek up a1625–
       to sleek up, to make presentable, or of attractive appearance.
   29. trickify 1678
       transitive. To trick, deck, adorn: = trick, v. II.5.
   30. prim 1688–
       intransitive. To assume a formal, precise, or demure look or air; to set the lips or face demurely or alluringly; to pout. Also transitive with it…
   31. titivate 1705–
       transitive. To improve the appearance of (a person) by tidying the hair, putting on make-up, etc.; to make (oneself or one's hair) look neater…
   32. dandify 1823–
       transitive. To give the character or style of a dandy to; to make trim or smart like a dandy.
   33. beflounce 1824–
   34. befop 1866–
   35. spry 1878–
       transitive. To smarten up.
   36. lustrify 1886–
       transitive. To make lustrous.
   37. dude 1899–
       transitive. To dress (someone) up so as to appear fashionable, smart, or eye-catching; to smarten or spruce up.
   38. doll 1916–
       transitive. To dress up finely or elaborately; to deck up. Also intransitive (for reflexive) and transferred.
   39. to tart up 1938–
       to tart up. transitive. To dress or adorn (oneself or another person) so as to look more attractive, esp. in a way regarded as showy, gaudy, or…
   40. youthify 1945–
       transitive. To make (a person) appear more youthful.
   41. pansy 1946–
       transitive. To clothe or adorn in an affected, overly refined, or fussy manner. Frequently reflexive and with up.
   42. spiv 1947–
       a. intransitive to make one's living as a spiv; b. transitive to spiff, to spruce (oneself) up.
   43. dolly 1958–
       To prettify; to doll up (see doll, v.²).
   44. zhuzh 1970–
       transitive. To smarten up (someone or something); to make (something) more stylish, attractive, or exciting. Also with up.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. spruce 1594–
      transitive. Frequently with up. To make (a place, a person's clothing or appearance, etc.) spruce, neat, or attractive; to improve the appearance…
   2. smirk 1596
      transitive. To trim up, to make neat or spruce.
   3. spruce 1598–
      transitive (reflexive). To make one's appearance neater or more attractive; to smarten oneself up. Formerly also with out.
   4. sprucify 1611–
      transitive. To make neat, trim, or attractive in appearance; to smarten; to spruce up.
   5. slick 1834–
      transferred. To polish up, make elegant or fine. Also with off, up. Sometimes with derogatory overtones.
   6. titivate 1842–
      transitive. To improve the appearance or condition of (something); to make smarter or more appealing; esp. to tidy or spruce up (a room); to repair…
   7. zhuzh 1970–
      transitive. To smarten up (someone or something); to make (something) more stylish, attractive, or exciting. Also with up.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ʒʊʒ/
zhuuzh
/ʒʊʃ/
zhuush

### U.S. English

/ʒʊʒ/
zhuuzh
/ʒʊʃ/
zhuush

####

##### 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–
   zhoosh, zhush
2. 2000s–
   joosh, joozh, zhoozh, zhuzh

## Frequency

zhuzh typically occurs about 0.02 times per million words in modern written English.

zhuzh is in frequency band 3, which contains words occurring between 0.01 and 0.1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zhuzh, v., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 0.0023
2018 | 0.0049
2019 | 0.0076
2020 | 0.012
2021 | 0.02
2022 | 0.027
2023 | 0.03
2024 | 0.034

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zhuzhy, adj. 1968–
   Stylish, attractive, exciting. Also sometimes…

zhuzh, v. was first published in March 2006.

zhuzh, v. was last modified in September 2024.