verb General Slang

Zhoosh

/ʒʊʃ/ · verb · slang

Polari for to smarten, fluff or style up — the word that gave us modern 'zhuzh'.

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Definitions

1

To fluff, primp, perfect. Zhooshing is the little finishing touches that take a look from fine to fierce, fixing the hair, tweaking the collar, fussing the cushions. Straight out of Polari, where it meant to smarten or stylise, and it crossed fully into the mainstream via Queer Eye. If it needs a bit more, give it a zhoosh.

“The outfit's nearly there, just needs a zhoosh round the shoulders.”
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2

In Polari, to tidy, primp or style something up, especially the hair or an outfit. The origin is uncertain, possibly imitative of a swishing sound or from Romani.

“Let me zhoosh your riah before we go.”
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3

To add a finishing flourish or improve the look of anything.

“A scarf would really zhoosh that frock up.”
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4

It survives in mainstream English as 'zhuzh' or 'zhoozh', meaning to liven up or add flair.

“Zhoosh the cushions before the guests arrive.”
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Zhoosh In A Sentence

She zhooshed her riah in the mirror and declared herself ready.
A bit of slap and a zhoosh and the cod old eek looked bona again.
He zhooshed his collar and trolled out like he owned the place.

Origin & Usage

Polari of mid-20th-century Britain; 'zhoosh' is of uncertain origin (possibly imitative or Romani-influenced) and, as Paul Baker notes, has entered mainstream English as 'zhuzh'.

Variants zhuzhzhoozhzhushjoosh
Tags #polari#lgbtq#british#heritage#vintage#style

People Also Ask

What does zhoosh mean?

It means to style, smarten or fluff something up — hair, clothes or a room.

Is zhuzh the same as zhoosh?

Yes — the modern 'zhuzh' descends directly from the Polari 'zhoosh'.

Where does zhoosh come from?

Its origin is uncertain; it may be imitative of a swishing sound or have a Romani influence.

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