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September 2, 2010 12:12 am
I recently heard the word "snazzy" used on an old episode of "That 70s Show." It was used twice to describe clothes that Eric Forman was wearing, for instance: "That's a snazzy sport coat."
It brought back memories of my teen-age years, which were in the early 70s. My family used that word also.
What is the origin of "snazzy"?
I grew up in suburban Chicago, and the TV show is set in Kenosha, Wis., I think. Is there a regional explanation?
3 Replies
September 2, 2010 2:33 am
The OED says "origin unknown". The earliest quotation it gives is from the LA Times in 1931.
September 5, 2010 10:06 am
The Online Etymological Dictionary, an old favorite of mine, dates it back to 1932 and suggests "perhaps a blend of snappy and jazzy", which sounds to me like a pretty good guess.
September 7, 2010 3:12 am
Thanks for the info.