gussy
[guhs-ee]Informal.
- to enhance the attractiveness of in a gimmicky, showy manner (usually followed by up): a room gussied up with mirrors and lights.
- to dress in one's best clothes (usually followed by up): to gussy up for the ball.
Origin of gussy
First recorded in 1935–40; of obscure origin
Gussie
or Gus·sy
[guhs-ee]
- a female given name, form of Augusta.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for gussy
Contemporary Examples
But Spode is a character from pure planet Wodehouse—just as much as Aunt Agatha or Gussy Fink-Nottle.
Historical Examples
Gussy, I strongly advise you to start wearing a tickler now.
The Creature from Cleveland DepthsFritz Reuter Leiber
Will try Haddon for Savoy, and anything in the world you like, if you can get Gussy.
In the CageHenry James
Gussy 'pares in the background and givs the gals $5 to danse a bally for his own speshell benerfit.
The Bad Boy At HomeWalter T. Gray
"Dear Gussy" cried for spite, and stamped her way out of the room, followed by Furlong.
Handy Andy, Volume 2 (of 2)Samuel Lover
I am very glad to hear that you and Gussy are both at all events a little better at last.
The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic LeightonMrs. Russell Barrington
Word Origin and History for gussy
v.
"to dress up or decorate in a showy way," 1952, American English slang, apparently from Gussy (1940), schoolyard slang name for an overly dressed person, perhaps related to gussie (1901) "effeminate man," and somehow connected to the nickname for Augusta and Augustus.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper