razzle-dazzle
[raz-uh l-daz-uh l]
- showiness, brilliance, or virtuosity in technique or effect, often without concomitant substance or worth; flashy theatricality: The razzle-dazzle of the essay's metaphors cannot disguise its shallowness of thought.
- Chiefly Football. deceptive action typically consisting of a series of complex maneuvers, as a double reverse or hand-off, usually executed in a flashy manner: a team relying more on power and speed than razzle-dazzle.
- confusion, commotion, or riotous gaiety.
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- impressively opulent or decorative, especially in a new way; showy; flashy; eye-catching: a shopping center lined with razzle-dazzle boutiques.
- energetic, dynamic, or innovative: razzle-dazzle technology; a razzle-dazzle sales pitch.
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Origin of razzle-dazzle
First recorded in 1890–95; rhyming compound based on dazzle
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for razzle-dazzle
Contemporary Examples
But he did speak to the issue of the razzle-dazzle camera moves, at least indirectly.
You knew this would be razzle-dazzle, filled with glitter and popping bottles and Jay-Z.
‘The Great Gatsby’ Debate: Is Baz Luhrmann’s Film Genius or Rubbish?Marlow Stern, Isabel Wilkinson
May 11, 2013
Yes, the razzle-dazzle of commercial news is more exciting and the social networking of Internet-based technologies is edgier.
Historical Examples
With a yellow ticket, again—but without any razzle-dazzle this time.
Police Your PlanetLester del Rey
Perhaps if I'd told her the truth instead of all that razzle-dazzle we might—but, confound it!
The Four MillionO. Henry
That sneak I gave the razzle-dazzle to yesterday is in this.
The Boy Scouts On The RangeLieut. Howard Payson
In the middle of this razzle-dazzle come another crash and a flood of light.
Plain Mary SmithHenry Wallace Phillips
We thought how many people in their so-called Christian life are riding the razzle-dazzle.
The Palm Tree BlessingW. E. Shepard
razzle-dazzle
razzmatazz (ˈræzməˈtæz)
- slang noisy or showy fuss or activity
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Word Origin
C19: rhyming compound based on dazzle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for razzle-dazzle
n.
1886, American English slang, varied reduplication of dazzle (q.v.).
My confrère, The Chevalier, last month gave a new name to the scarfs of disjointed pattern when he called them the razzle-dazzle. The name was evidently a hit of the most patent character, for in several avenue and Broadway stores the clerks have thrown out a display of broken figures before me and explained that the ruling style at present was the razzle-dazzle, and the word seems to have been equally effective with the public, for when it is quoted by the live salesman, the customer, I am told is at once interested and caught by it. ["Clothier and Furnisher" magazine, Jan. 1889]
Meaning "state of confusion" is from 1889.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper