Origin of 'Spruce Up'

Posted by Smokey Stover on March 13, 2005

In Reply to: Origin of 'Spruce Up' posted by J. W. on March 13, 2005

: : Can anyone help with the above, please? Google has produced little other than this site! Thanks. Doug

: I can help: Look up "spruce" in the dictionary. Look up "up" in the dictionary.

Yes, and if you look it up you will find that the adjective "spruce" meant, in the 16th century and later, trim, neat, smart in appearance. The verb, "to spruce," means to make trim, neat, smart in appearance. To spruce up didn't occur until later, and means the same as "to spruce." SS

• Origin of 'Spruce Up' J 13/March/05
  • Origin of 'Spruce Up' Bruce Kahl 13/March/05