POLISH, POLISHING
NOUNS
1592 ► XESTURGY the process of polishing → obs.
L18.. ► LARRY DUGAN’S EYE WATER. blacking (application of black polish) → sl.
1910 ► NUGGET boot polish → Aust. sl.
1917 ► BRIGHT polish → Amer. dial.
VERBS
1205 ► FAY to clean, to cleanse, to polish; to clear away filth, etc.
1382 ► FURBISH to remove rust from; to brighten by rubbing, to polish, to burnish
1612 ► LEVIGATE to make smooth; to polish → obs.
20C.. ► GUSSY UP to refurbish, to renovate; to polish → Amer. sl.
1940 ► BLITZ IT to polish or spruce up with vigour and speed → World War II Amer. sl.
Lexicophilia 