THE CAT'S PAJAMAS XI

Tad Tuleja

A collection of the (mostly) true origins of familiar phrases

DOOZY

Doozy means something extraordinary, outstanding, or unique of its kind. It's often maintained that doozie derived from the Duesenberg Motor Company and its exquisitely designed cars. However, this is impossible on chronological grounds. Doozy (in the form dozy) was first recorded in eastern Ohio in 1916, four years before the Duesenberg Motor Company began to manufacture passenger cars. Etymologists believe that doozy is an altered form of the word daisy, which was used especially in the late 1800's as a slang term for someone or something that was considered the best. Today, doozy can also be used in a negative sense.

FRISBEE

The story of the Frisbee began in Bridgeport, Connecticut where William Frisbie opened the Frisbie Pie Company in 1871. Students from nearby universities would throw the empty pie tins to each other, yelling "Frisbie!" as they let go.