Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

The term doozy (or doozie), which refers to something good or first rate, may derive from daisy, as in the flower, sometimes considered an example of excellence. It might also have to do with the Italian actress Eleanora Duse, who toured the States in the 1890s. It doesn't come from the Duesenberg automobile because the dates don't work out. The slang term doozy was in use as early as 1903. The first Duesenberg wasn't made until 1913 at the earliest, and they weren't widely available to consumers until 1920. It's possible the great cars gave the old slang new life, though. This is part of a complete episode.

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