gussy

[ guhs-ee ]

/ ˈgʌs i /

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.

Nearby words

First recorded in 1935–40; of obscure origin

[ guhs-ee ]

/ ˈgʌs i /

a female given name, form of Augusta.

But Spode is a character from pure planet Wodehouse—just as much as Aunt Agatha or Gussy Fink-Nottle.
Can Fascism be Funny?|Douglas Murray|September 28, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Gussy 'pares in the background and givs the gals $5 to danse a bally for his own speshell benerfit.
The Bad Boy At Home|Walter T. Gray
If we are to judge folk by their wames, gussy pig gruntin' in the trough wad be king o' men.
Cleg Kelly, Arab of the City|S. R. (Samuel Rutherford) Crockett
The gals then go thru a lot of moshuns, dansin the racket, and Gussy sets 'em up.
The Bad Boy At Home|Walter T. Gray

Gussy dreams of me as "very handsome" and "are my whiskers growing?"
The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic Leighton|Mrs. Russell Barrington
"Dear Gussy" cried for spite, and stamped her way out of the room, followed by Furlong.
Handy Andy, Volume 2 (of 2)|Samuel Lover