‘Spice It Up’, Meaning & Context

The idiom “spice things up” or “spice it up” means to add excitement or interest to something. It is often used to describe ways to make a relationship more exciting, a meal more flavorful, or a story more interesting.

The Origin of ‘Spice It Up’

The origin of the idiom is uncertain, but it is likely that it came from the literal meaning of the word “spice.” Spices have long been used to add flavour and excitement to food, and it is natural that the word would come to be used figuratively to describe the addition of excitement or interest to other things.

The History of ‘Spice It Up’

The earliest recorded use of the idiom “spice things up” is in the 1920s, but it did not become widely used until the 1960s. This is likely due to the fact that the 1960s was a time of great social and cultural change, and people were looking for ways to add excitement and interest to their lives.

Appearances in Culture of ‘Spice It Up’

The idiom “spice things up” has been used in a variety of ways throughout its history. It has been used in song and music, films and television, and poems. For example, the song “Spice Up Your Life” by the Spice Girls is a pop anthem about adding excitement and interest to your life. The film “The Hangover” features a scene where the characters try to “spice up” their bachelor party by hiring strippers.

The poem “The Spice-Box of Earth” by Edith Sitwell is a meditation on the power of spices to add excitement and interest to life. The poem is full of vivid imagery, and the reader can almost smell the spices as they read. It is also a celebration of the diversity of the world, and the way that spices can bring people from different cultures together. It was first published in 1922, and it has been praised for its beauty and originality. It has been translated into many languages, and it is still read and enjoyed today.

The Simpsons episode “Homer the Moe”

Homer: “I’m gonna spice things up around here. New drinks, new events. We’re gonna be the hottest spot in town.”

Bartender: “But we’re doing fine the way we are.”

Homer: “Fine is for museums. We’re Moe’s Tavern. We’re about excitement. We’re about adventure. We’re about…spicing things up.”

The idiom “spice something up” is used in this scene to mean to make something more exciting or interesting. Homer is trying to make Moe’s Tavern more exciting by adding new drinks and events. However, his changes are not met with universal approval. Some of the customers are happy with the changes, while others prefer the old way of doing things.

In the book, The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, Chapman uses the idiom “spice something up” to describe ways to add variety to a relationship. He suggests that couples can “spice things up” by trying new activities together, such as going on a weekend getaway or taking a cooking class. He also suggests that couples can “spice things up” by expressing their love in new ways, such as writing love letters or giving massages: “As your love language grows stronger, you may find that you need to ‘spice things up’ a bit. This doesn’t mean that you have to do something dramatic. It simply means that you need to find new and creative ways to express your love. You may want to try new activities together, such as going on a weekend getaway or taking a cooking class. You may also want to try expressing your love in new ways, such as writing love letters or giving massages.”

Spice it up

Using ‘Spice It Up’

• I’m going to spice up my cooking by adding some fresh herbs.
• The band decided to spice up their setlist by playing a few covers.
• The author spiced up her novel by adding a few twists and turns.
• The teacher spiced up her lesson by incorporating some interactive activities.
• The couple decided to spice up their relationship by trying new things together.
• The company decided to spice up their marketing campaign by using a more controversial approach.
• The politician spiced up her speech by making some unexpected promises.
• The chef spiced up his dish by adding a few drops of chili oil.
• The artist spiced up her painting by adding some bright colors.
• The writer spiced up her story by adding a few suspenseful moments.