zhuzh
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\n \n Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 11, 2024 is:\n \n
\n \n\n zhuzh • \\ZHUZH (the U is as in PUSH)\\ • verb
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To zhuzh something up is to improve its flavor or appearance by way of a small improvement, adjustment, or addition.
\n\n// He likes to zhuzh up his outfits with brightly-colored ties.
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\u201cEver since my sister introduced me to this life-changing condiment, I\u2019ve slathered [chili crisp] on pretty much everything I could think of\u2014from roasted vegetables and noodles to seafood and popcorn. \u2026 That deep savory flavor comes from ingredients like fermented black bean, shallots, mushroom powder, ginger, and seaweed, so it\u2019s no wonder it\u2019s become my go-to pantry staple when I want to zhuzh up my dinner in a matter of seconds.\u201d \u2014 Britt Ross, quoted on BuzzFeed, 17 Feb. 2024
\n \n \n\n Did you know?
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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 \u201cmy hair just needs a quick zhuzh and I\u2019ll be ready to go.\u201d
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