Pronunciation: [ɡˈʌsɪd ˈʌp] (IPA) 
The word "gussied up" is an informal American term that means to dress up or to make fancy. It is spelled as /ˈɡʌsɪd ʌp/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "g" is pronounced as a hard "g" sound followed by a short "u" sound, the "ss" is pronounced as a voiced "z" sound, and the "ied" is pronounced as a schwa sound followed by a d-sound. The stress is on the first syllable, making it gus-sied up.
Gussied up is an idiomatic phrase often used in informal contexts to describe someone or something that has been extravagantly dressed up, adorned, or embellished in a way that is flashy, showy, or ostentatious. It is commonly used to describe individuals who are dressed in a particularly fancy or flamboyant manner, often implying that their appearance is exaggerated, overdone, or excessive.
Derived from American slang, the term "gussied up" originally emerged in the early 20th century and is believed to have its roots in the German-American community. It likely stems from the name "Gussie," a diminutive form of the given name Augusta or Augustus, which was commonly associated with women who were known for their penchant for dressing flamboyantly.
Today, the phrase "gussied up" has a broader usage and can refer to any entity that has been embellished or adorned in a showy or exaggerated manner. This can include decorations, spaces, events, or even actions that have been dressed up with excessive or flamboyant elements.
Overall, "gussied up" denotes a sense of grandiosity, flashiness, or exaggeration in appearance or presentation. It is a term used to describe something or someone who has undergone a noticeable transformation, characterized by an enhanced, often flashy, visual display.
The word "gussied up" is believed to have originated in the United States in the late 19th century. It is a slang term that typically means "dressed or decorated in a showy, fancy, or ostentatious manner".
The etymology of "gussied up" is not entirely clear, but there are a few theories about its origins. One theory suggests that the word may have been derived from the name of a German clothing store owner, Gustavus "Gus" Schocken. According to this theory, "gussied up" would have initially referred to getting dressed up in clothes purchased from such a store.
Another theory is that "gussied up" comes from the Yiddish word "geshtoygen", which means "to dress up" or "to adorn oneself".
