Gussied Up
Mar 17
Clothing, Everyday, Life american, australian, british, english, obscure No Comments
Definition:
or ‘gussy up’: to dress up or get decked out in a showy or gimmicky manner; or, to get dressed in one’s best clothes
Description:
This term is of an obscure / unknown origin, but is usually considered an American expression. However, the first recorded use of the word ‘gussy‘ in the Oxford English Dictionary comes from a British source, Morris Marple’s Public School Slang of 1940.
At the end of the 19th Century, both in Australia and in America, the term was used to denote a weak or effeminate person.
Or, the term could be associated with American tennis player “Gorgeous Gussie” Moran who is best remembered for appearing at Wimbledon in 1949 wearing frilly panties — which caused considerable interest and controversy.