Gussied UpIn Southern and Appalachian speech, "gussied up" means dressed up fancy, often more than the occasion calls for. It can be playful praise or gentle teasing about someone trying to look extra fine. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #DialectandGrammar #Southern #BodyandHealth Hillbilly Dude Says... Hillbilly Dude Says... Pronunciation[GUH-see’d up] Meaning & Usage- Dressed up in fancy clothes (verb phrase)
Mae:
Earl:
- Overly dressed for the occasion (verb phrase)
Mae:
Earl:
variations: gussy up ★ "Gussied up" is often said with a smile - it can be a compliment, but also carries a hint of "you didn’t have to go that far." ★ Origin and EtymologyFirst recorded in the mid-1800s, from "Gussy" - a slang name for someone who dressed flashy. The phrase spread widely but took deepest root in Southern and Appalachian speech. Usage NotesStill heard across the U.S., but especially common in the South and Appalachia. Most often paired with "all" - as in "all gussied up." Used for people more than places or things. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "guss-ee’d up." Often stretched a little for emphasis: "all gussied up." | ...
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