The Power of 'Zhuzing'
Mar 06, 2025In this newsletter we are playfully exploring something we do a lot; but it’s rarely written and it’s actually pretty hard to define. The Cambridge Dictionary spells it ‘Zhuzh’, An article in The New York Times references early usage as ‘Zhoosh’. ‘Tzushing’ is a word that you’ve likely heard more than seen and there’s contention on the best way to spell ‘Tzush’...you’ll see many options here.
When we are working on projects we often find ourselves saying something like, "I’m just ‘Xjueching’ this garden bed," or "Can you please tidy up and ‘Jtuech’ the gardens, mulch, path, raised beds, etc?" It will involve a keen eye, some light pruning maybe. Also, a grass rake, a broom or leaf blower, perhaps some watering. We know what we are doing when we do it - though it’s not straightforward to explain.
Have you ever found yourself straightening a friend’s collar before they head off into an important interview? Or fluffing your pillows before guests arrive for a party? Then you are familiar with this mysterious and magical act of ‘Jeuging’. It’s a word that gets used liberally in our final stages of any project installation.
Rocks are set, plants are planted, mulch is spread, and then perhaps, a thoughtful stepping back, a reapproaching to fluff leaves out, smooth the mulch just so, adjust a rock’s placement a half an inch. ‘Tzuging’ is a step that should never be skipped, because it signifies a deep care for the final result.
Where did ‘Tzshush’ come from? Research points to:
- possible French origins
- historic sailor slang
- the world of circus performance
- and more recently the popular TV show ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’
Click to hear Carson Kressley of 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' explain where he first learned the word 'tszuj'.
What does ‘Gjeoosh’ mean to you? We decided to ask around the Garden Juju Collective team and gather tools and tricks for 'Zhuzhing' in the garden:
7 Tips for Garden 'Zhuzhing'
- Clean, Organise & Declutter - Remove the old, decayed, and dusty.
- Refresh, Renew and Reenergise - Clear the path for energy to flow, nourish with life, and make shine.
- Artistic Expression - Intuit, reimagine, and creatively explore possibilities.
- Express Beauty and Flamboyance - Arrange and style to maximise beauty and flair.
- Show Care, Skill and Detailed Attention - Clean up the edges and touch-up until satisfied; step back to determine what is still needed.
- Arrange Things into Place and Peace - Bring things into their place; find natural settling and calm.
- Show Love for Self, Bodies, Audiences, and the Juju of Life - Consider how others might interact with this space: how might they enjoy it? What might they receive? The greatest form of empathy - for self and others, current and future - is to make something more loved, enjoyed and 'jeuged' up.
How necessary is ‘Jeuging?’ Maybe we humans have responsibilities as stewards of ecosystems and places - to preen, to fluff, to help settle. We do it well, so why not make things a little more beautiful because we can? Because we want to? Because pouring care and love into the earth is a venture that is never to be underestimated. Because caring for the external brings an internal peace. Because a beautiful landscape is one we want to spend time in, to continue to 'Tzush' over and over again…taking us from merely working to actually living and engaging with life.
