Spruce

So today’s word is spruce. As in to spruce up a place and make it tidy. Also the tree, but that will come in later.

In the halls of the English ruling class, the Germanic state Prussia was known as “Pruce” or “Spruce”. Due to the Prussian military being known as always having an incredible eye for detail, especially with their uniforms, the idea of sprucing up came from here.

Secondarily, the habit of the Prussian officer corps to maintain a stiff and erect posture at all time lent their name to the tall and erect trees.

And yes, oddly enough it was easier to find a photo of a spruce tree than a Prussian officer.