zhuzh

1 of 2

noun

ˈzhu̇zh 

variants or zhoosh

plural zhuzhes or zhooshes

: a small improvement, adjustment, or addition that completes the overall look, taste, etc. of something

A quick zhuzh of my hair and it was time to meet young photographer Sharif.

—Leicester (England) Mercury

They make both white and black truffle butter, and I love to use it … as a final zhuzh in a risotto or soup.

—Stacey Ballis

zhuzh

2 of 2

verb

variants or zhoosh

zhuzhed or zhooshed; zhuzhing or zhooshing; zhuzhes or zhooshes

transitive verb

: to improve in flavor or appearance by way of a small improvement, adjustment, or addition

—often used with up

Even ingredients such as sour cream, tofu, and eggs can be revived after freezing, and items such as tortillas and bread can be zhuzhed up in a toaster or pan.

—Anna Perling

What are a few things people can do to make a basic grocery store bouquet really sparkle, get to that next level? … What can we do to zhuzh it up?

—Andee Tagle

Did you know?

Zhuzh (alternatively spelled zhoosh) has an onomatopoetic ring to it: it resembles other sound-effect words, such as whoosh or zoom, that suggest dynamic movement, or perhaps more appropriately, a ruffling of hair or fabric. The earliest evidence of zhuzh shows that it is part of Polari, a kind of slang known especially for its use in 20th century British gay culture. The word has been in use since at least the 1970s, and gained wild popularity during the 2018 reboot of Queer Eye, a television series in which a fellow needing help in the areas of fashion, grooming, living space, food, and social grace gets a makeover courtesy of five talented gay men. While often used as a verb (usually paired with up), zhuzh is also a noun that refers to a small improvement or adjustment, as in “my hair just needs a quick zhuzh and I’ll be ready to go.”

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps derivative of zhuzh entry 2

Note: See note at zhuzh entry 2.

Verb

probably of expressive origin

Note: The earliest records of zhuzh show that it is part of Polari, a lexicon used among gay men in Britain with roots in the argot of theatrical and circus performers. The claims that the word was borrowed from Yiddish or Romani are not supportable. Given the lack of a clear origin, it is impossible to tell if the verb has priority over the noun or vice versa.

First Known Use

Noun

1995, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1970, in the meaning defined above

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