Definition of the word pep up

The phrase "pep up" is a phrasal verb that means "to provide energy or enthusiasm to somebody or something" or "to make someone feel more lively or interested". Its origin can be traced back to the late 19th century when "pep" was a popular slang term for stimulants like pepper, which were used to invigorate the body and mind. The term "pep" was also associated with athletics and physical activity, as this excerpt from an 1885 edition of the "Atlanta Constitution" demonstrates: "The breath gives it when it comes, / A whiff of pep from off a palm. The shudder gives it when it comes, / The quiver in the limbs and hairs." The use of "pep" to describe a person's enthusiasm or energy spread to other contexts, and by the end of the 19th century, it was being used in terms like "pepper and pry" and "pep talk" to describe encouraging words or actions. The expression "pep up" likely evolved in response to the need for a concise and explicit way to describe the act of injecting new energy or enthusiasm into a situation. By the 1920s, "pep up" was in common use, and it has remained a part of English vocabulary ever since. In conclusion, the origin of the phrase "pep up" can be traced back to the slang term "pep" which was associated with stimulants and athletics, eventually evolving into a more general term for energy and enthusiasm that is still in use today.