spiffy

Meanings

1. Dapper; fine or neat, especially in style of clothing or other appearance.

1. A dapper person.

1. A spring-wire collar stay, worn by men.

Etymology

Unknown. Attested in print from 1852 (see quotations below). Compare the noun spiff, attested from 1859, as well as spiffing (1872) and spiffed (1881), suggesting participle forms of a related verb. Compare also spiv (“a smartly-dressed criminal”), attested from the 20th century.