1546, variant of M.E. huisht (c.1380), probably of imitative origin, with terminal -t lost probably by being mistaken for a pt. suffix. Hush-hush (adj.) is 1916 reduplication. Hush-money is attested from 1709. Hush-puppy "deep-fried ball of cornmeal batter" first attested 1918; as a type of lightweight
soft shoe, it is a proprietary name, registered 1961.
tv. to make someone be quiet. : Please hush your baby up!
tv. to kill someone. : Nobody knew how to get to Mr. Gutman to hush him up.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Example sentences
It's somewhat hush-hush, and its tools offer more immersive play for gamers across the globe.
While the government kept the experiment hush-hush back then, officials are speaking out now.
The hush-hush of politics is controlling a segment of people without those people recognizing they are being managed.
The lights go down, a hush falls, the curtain parts.
Sides include hush puppies, collard greens, coleslaw and corn on the cob.
The fried catfish fillets are made to order and served with some of the tastiest hush puppies around.
The chancellery often has the hush of a library, not the buzz of a centre of power.
But despite the hush, talk about steroids is unavoidable.
Southern-style sides include hush puppies, fried okra and green beans.
There are be no parties to attend, no fighting for seats with people who hush you during commercials.