Brush up on

Posted by Smokey Stover on May 01, 2009 at 15:32

In Reply to: Brush up on posted by Victoria S Dennis on May 01, 2009 at 13:36:

: : Where did the phrase "brush up on" come from?

: "To brush up" originally meant "to revive the appearance of something - e.g. suede shoes, a silk plush top hat, a woollen coat - by brushing up the nap". Thus, by extension, you can "brush up" your conversational French, or your map-reading. At one time you could also "brush up" an old friendship or acquaintance, but I don't think anybody says that any more - has anybody here heard it in living memory?

: I suspect the extended form "brush up *on*" has been formed by analogy with phrases like "read up on". (VSD)

Just to answer Victoria's question, I have heard the phrase "brush up his friendship with [so-and-so]," But then, I was also a friend of the Ancient Mariner. (Just kidding!)
SS