Word: Zhuzh

zhuzh

or zhoosh

[ zhoozh ]

Slang.

verb (used with object)

1. to make (something) more lively and interesting, stylish, or appealing, as by a small change or addition (usually followed by up): These colorful throw pillows are an easy way to zhuzh up your living room.

noun

2. the act of giving something lively interest, style, or appeal, or the fact of having these qualities: Give your hair a quick zhuzh with a pearl clip or a pretty bow. I’ve been told my writing could use a little more zhuzh.

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               Jake stood in front of the full-length mirror, looking at the tux he was decked out in. It looked pretty good to his untrained eye. But he also knew than to jump on it. He had thought the other three looked good as well.

               “So, how about this one?” He asked.

               Ryan hummed and hawed as he considered the suit. “I suppose it’s okay. Better than the others, anyway. But it’s missing something.”

               “Missing something? What’s it missing? A tie?”

               “No, not that. I mean, yeah, you’re definitely going to need a tie, but that’s not what I’m talking about. This needs…something else.”

               “Gonna have to be more specific than that.”

               “I don’t know. It’s just, right now it’s good, but it has the potential to be great. It just needs that little extra something to take it to the next level. Hang on, let me see what they have.”

               Ryan went off in search of the ever elusive something. It still baffled Jake how much the man changed when it came time to get the tuxedo. Even though Ryan was gay, he had not exhibited any of the Hollywood stereotypes that Jake had learned to look for. He was just another guy that happened to date other men. But the moment Jake had asked him if he could help pick out a tux for his wedding, it was like a switch had been flipped. The man had become a fashion expert, jumping from store to store and suit to suit. Each one had been shot down for one reason or another. This was the first that he did not immediately poo-poo.

               “You know, I’m only going to be wearing this one day.” Jake said. “I know it needs to be good, but nobody will say anything if it isn’t 100 percent perfect.”

               Ryan held a number of accessories as he made his way back. “Oh sure, they won’t say anything. They’re all too polite for that. But people talk, you know. Gossip can be a real killer if it gets far enough. Besides, you want to look your best for Julie, right?”

               “Well, I mean, yeah, of course I do.”

               “Well, there you go. Now hold still and let me see what these look like.”

               He began holding the various items up to Jake’s chest and arms, depending on the accessory in questions. Most of them he set on a store provided table, while others he kept on hand. That is, until he held a silver clip to the suit’s breast pocket. This he held there, and then stuck it in. He took a step back and looked the groom-to-be over.

               “There. That’s it. That is the last thing this look needed. Now, now it’s perfect.”

               “Seriously? This tiny little clip?”

               “Look at it with the clip and without it. Trust me, it’s the little things that make all the difference.”

               Jake took his friend’s advice. It was odd, but the clip did indeed make everything more interesting. It just added that little extra splash of color that seemed to tie everything together, without overshadowing the rest of the suit.

               “Okay, fine, you win.” Jake said.

               “Of course I do. Now let’s get this properly fitted and payed for. We’ve still got a lot of shopping to do before you’re really ready.”

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I'm not married, nor have I ever been married, so I don't know the process of picking out a suit for the big day. I imagine it's quite the process though.