fuss and feathers

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noun

an excessively elaborate or pretentious display; ostentation.

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Origin of fuss and feathers

First recorded in 1890–95

Words nearby fuss and feathers

fusor, fusospirillary gingivitis, fusospirochetal, fusospirochetal gingivitis, fuss, fuss and feathers, fussbox, fussbudget, fusspot, fussy, fustanella

How to use fuss and feathers in a sentence

As an example of good science-and-society policymaking, the history of fluoride may be more of a cautionary tale.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
As this list shows, punishments typically run to a short-ish jail sentence and/or a moderately hefty fine.
In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yes, Byrd—dead four-and-a-half years now—was a Kleagle in the Ku Klux Klan.
Steve Scalise and the Right’s Ridiculous Racial Blame Game|Michael Tomasky|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Later that night, that same black-and-red banner would be seen again—in the column of marchers chanting for dead cops.
The Monsters Who Screamed for Dead Cops|Jacob Siegel|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The kids are out of school, Mom is out of get-up-and-go, Dad is out of work.
Congress’ Gift That Keeps on Giving|P. J. O’Rourke|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She also practises etching, pen-and-ink drawing, as well as crayon and water-color sketching.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
No law of that country must exceed in words the number of letters in their alphabet, which consists only in two-and-twenty.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
The old dowager's voice toned down, and she pulled her black feathers straight upon her head.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
Admiration for brilliant colours, for moving things, such as feathers, is common to the two.
Children's Ways|James Sully
I'm getting rather bored, you know, Georgie, with the fuss people make in town.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

Other Idioms and Phrases with fuss and feathers

fuss and feathers

Needless commotion and display, as in There was so much fuss and feathers over the award ceremony that I decided not to attend. This expression probably survives because of its appealing alliteration. [Mid-1800s]