put on the ritz
to act self-importantly
TRANSLATION
put on the Ritz = auf den Putz hauen, sich in Schale werfen, große Töne spucken; eine pompöse Aufführung machen, sich wichtigtuerisch benehmen
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
“Since its 1946 revision, ‘PUTTING ON THE RITZ’ has usually been a catchy invitation to go on the town and mix with old-school stylish dressers. But the lyrics Irving Berlin first published in 1929 instead invited listeners to gawk at Black Harlemites parading in outfits they could ill afford.”
John Mark Ockerbloom — Everybody’s Libraries (22nd November 2024)
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"Irving Berlin’s iconic song ‘PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ’ has captivated audiences for decades with its catchy melody and timeless lyrics. The song reflects the glamour and opulence of the Roaring Twenties, a period marked by a cultural shift towards extravagance and the pursuit of high social status."
Henry White — Musician Wages (12th June 2024)
Did you
know?
put on the Ritz
idiom
- to dress very fashionably or behave in an elegant, extravagant, or ostentatious way
- to make a showy display of wealth or sophistication, often to impress others
- to act as if one belongs in luxurious settings, inspired by the opulent Ritz hotels
Oxford Languages, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster
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PHRASE ORIGIN
The phrase “put on the ritz” is steeped in the glamour of luxury hotels and the Jazz Age. It’s derived from the Ritz hotels, founded by Swiss hotelier César Ritz (1850–1918), known as the “king of hoteliers,” whose establishments in Paris (1898) and London (1906) became symbols of opulence.
The term “ritzy” emerged around 1910 to describe lavish elegance, inspired by the Ritz hotels’ reputation.
The phrase “putting on the ritz” was used colloquially to mean dressing or acting extravagantly, predating Irving Berlin’s 1929 song “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” which popularized it. The song originally referenced Harlem’s well-dressed but poor residents parading on Lenox Avenue.
The song, performed by Harry Richman (1930) and Fred Astaire (1946 in Blue Skies), cemented the phrase’s association with high society and glamour. Revised lyrics shifted the focus to affluent whites on Park Avenue.
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SYNONYMS
act high-class, deck out, dress to impress, dress to the nines, dress up to the hilt, flaunt, get dolled up, glam up, PUT ON THE RITZ, show off, spiff up, spruce up, step out in style, strut your stuff
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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation today, say something like:
"I guess most people enjoy PUTTING ON THE RITZ during special occasions."
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