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Fancy Up

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "fancy up" means to dress up or make something look nicer. It can describe people putting on their best clothes or fixing up a place with extra touches.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'd say 'fancy up' is definitely common talk that you'd hear most anywhere. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'd say 'fancy up' is definitely common talk that you'd hear most anywhere. 

Pronunciation

[FAN-see up]

Meaning & Usage

- To dress up (verb phrase)

Mae:
You ain’t wearin’ overalls, are you?
Earl:
Naw - I’m gonna fancy up a little.

- To decorate or improve something (verb phrase)

Mae:
Looks nice out here.
Earl:
We just fancied up the porch with new paint.
variations: fancyin' up
★ "Fancy up" is often used playfully. It doesn’t mean high fashion - just a step nicer than everyday. ★

Origin and Etymology

From "fancy," meaning stylish or ornamental. In Southern and Appalachian speech, pairing it with "up" made it more vivid and colloquial, fitting the pattern of sayings like "fix up" or "dress up."

Usage Notes

Common in Appalachian and Southern regions, especially in rural talk. Outside the area, people may understand it, but it’s less commonly said. Often carries a teasing or lighthearted tone.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "fan-see up." Quick and informal, often with a teasing tone.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "fancy up" mean the same as "dress up"?
Yes, but more casual - it can also mean decorating or sprucing up a place.
Is it used seriously or jokingly?
Usually joking or lighthearted, but sometimes just plain descriptive.
Do people still use it today?
Yes - it’s still heard widely, especially among older generations in the South and Appalachia.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 3). Fancy Up. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/fancy-up
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Fancy Up." HillbillySlang.com, 3 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/fancy-up.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Fancy Up." HillbillySlang.com. September 3, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/fancy-up.
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