f-u-z-z
FUZZ refers to fine, light, fluffy fibers or particles, often found on fabrics, fruits, or as dust. It's also slang for police officers. With double Z tiles, it's a high-scoring Scrabble word.
25
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
FUZZ describes a mass of fine, light fibers or particles that form a downy or fuzzy coating. You'll find fuzz on peach skin, new tennis balls, worn sweaters, and accumulating in coat pockets. This soft, fluffy material can be natural (like plant fibers) or synthetic (like lint from clothing).
In American and British slang, "the fuzz" means police officers. This usage emerged in the 1920s-1930s, possibly from the fuzzy appearance of early police uniforms or as rhyming slang. The term gained widespread popularity in the 1960s counterculture and remains recognizable today, though it sounds somewhat dated.
Fuzz also has technical meanings. In audio engineering, "fuzz" describes a type of distortion effect used primarily with electric guitars. The fuzz pedal, invented in the early 1960s, creates a distinctive "fuzzy," saturated sound by heavily clipping the audio signal. This effect became iconic in rock music, featured in songs like "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones.
For Scrabble players, FUZZ is exceptional because it contains two Z tiles—each worth 10 points. This makes it one of the highest base-scoring four-letter words at 25 points. The double Z creates unique strategic opportunities but also challenges, as you need both Z tiles simultaneously.
The word "fuzz" emerged in English around 1600, likely of imitative origin—the word sounds like the soft, indistinct quality it describes. It may derive from Low German "fussig" (spongy, loose) or be related to "fuzzy," which appeared slightly later.
The progression of meanings reveals interesting linguistic evolution:
The police slang origin remains debated. Theories include: fuzzy (unclear) nature of their authority, the texture of early uniforms, rhyming slang ("fuzz" for "does" as in "does the law"), or connection to "fussy" (interfering). The true etymology is appropriately fuzzy.
Related words showcase the root's versatility: fuzzy (1610s), fuzzball (1800s), and modern compounds like fuzz-tone and fuzz-buster (radar detector). The word's sound symbolism—soft consonants mimicking soft textures—makes it naturally descriptive across languages.
•FUZZ is one of only six words in English containing two Z's
•The fuzz effect was discovered accidentally when a faulty mixer damaged a guitar signal
•"The fuzz" as police slang predates "the cops" by several decades
•Double letters in FUZZ can be useful for parallel plays
"The peach fuzz on his chin showed he was just starting to grow a beard."
- Physical description
"Quick, hide the goods—the fuzz is coming!" he shouted from the lookout.
- Police slang usage
Total base points: 25 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 3
FUZZ is extraordinary in Scrabble—one of only six common words with two Z tiles. At 25 base points, it's among the highest-scoring four-letter words possible.
• Rarity challenge: Need both Z tiles (only 2 in the bag)
• High base score: 25 points before multipliers
• Extensions: FUZZY (20 pts), FUZZED, FUZZES, FUZZING
• Similar double-Z words: BUZZ, FIZZ, JAZZ, PIZZAZZ
The fuzz effect revolutionized rock music in the 1960s. Unlike overdrive or distortion, fuzz creates an extremely saturated, "square wave" sound by clipping the signal so severely that it resembles a synthesizer more than a guitar. This aggressive processing produces rich harmonics and sustain.
Fuzz circuits intentionally create harmonic distortion by:
Modern fuzz pedals range from vintage recreations to experimental noise machines. The effect remains essential in genres from garage rock to doom metal, with builders constantly innovating new fuzz flavors.
"The fuzz" as slang for police has a wonderfully murky history. The term emerged in American criminal slang during the 1920s-1930s, spreading from the underworld to mainstream usage by the 1960s. Its persistence in popular culture, despite sounding dated, demonstrates the staying power of evocative slang.
• Uniform theory: Early police uniforms used fuzzy wool that pilled
• Whiskers theory: Many officers wore distinctive fuzzy beards/mustaches
• Static theory: Early radio communications were "fuzzy"
• Rhyming slang: Cockney-style wordplay (though specifics unclear)
The term exploded in the 1960s counterculture, appearing in:
While "the fuzz" sounds quaint today, it remains immediately understood. Modern usage tends toward ironic or nostalgic contexts, though some regions still use it unselfconsciously. The term's fuzzy origins appropriately match its fuzzy meaning—perfect linguistic symmetry.
Remember FUZZ requires BOTH Z tiles. Don't plan on playing it unless you have both—the odds of drawing both Zs are only about 3%.
FUZZ has no standard plural when meaning lint/fluff. "Fuzzes" exists only as a verb ("she fuzzes the image"). For police slang, "the fuzz" is already collective.
If you have both Zs, consider whether FUZZ (25 pts) is better than playing them separately in words like ZA (11 pts) and ZOO (12 pts) on premium squares.
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like FUZZ