Do you know what tittivate means?

[PCPlumsTruncheon]

Very very long backstory but my DM and DF went to visit DD today and then came to see me and told me that DD had planned a morning of tittivating as she was going to a wedding reception but her plans were thwarted by the water being cut off.
I am a bit of a grammar/spelling geek but had genuinely never heard of this word and thought that DM was getting it mixed up with ‘tittilate’.
How many of you (without Googling) know what this word means?

[CherieBabySpliffUp]

I know what it means. I agree it's quite old fashioned but I wouldn't say it's a northern word.

[maddjess]

Yep I know

[henhausfrau]

Yes, I know it and would use it.

[jenniuol]

Yes I know it. My mum used to use it.

[jenniuol]

Would also use it myself.

[Enidblyton1]

Yes, I use it sometimes - not to describe myself, but to refers to others (I suppose in a slightly derogatory way). ‘Look at Mr X titivating his garden’ etc

[StealthPolarBear]

Primping not priming!

[ChessieFL]

Yes, I know it and use it. I’m from the South West so don’t think it’s a northern word.

[LoniceraJaponica]

It isn't a northern expression. I grew up in South London and it was used all the time when I was a child. I'm pretty sure I have heard it being said in Carry On films as well.

[Saggital]

I thought it meant to vate one's titties? No?

[grannycake]

I'm Welsh and i knew the phrase - much used by my grandmother

[ShatnersBassoon]

Yes, I know. It's a commonly used word, not old fashioned in my experience.

[QueenoftheNights]

Yes I know.

[OhDearGodLookAtThisMess]

My dad used to refer to my mum "titivating" (I didn't think there was a double t in it though).

[CarolDanvers]

Yes, I know it, have since I was young. My mum used to use it,

[PeakPants]

OP, I had never heard it before. I am, by objective standards, highly educated. So I wouldn't sweat it if I were you.

[SausageOnAFork]

Yes. Very commonly used word. I’d use it about a room to mean tidy up and maybe as some flowers or new cushions. More than a normal tidy, less than redecorating.

Oh, and those people pointing out that the op has spelt the word wrong, how do you expect her to know how to spell a word she’s only just heard of?

[firehousedog1]

It's one of those words I've heard on the odd occasion but never questioned or bothered to look what it means. They say you learn something new everyday. This must be mine today

[Pringlesaddict]

No, I'd have assumed "titillate" as well OP.

[treaclesoda]

I know what it means. I've heard older people use it a lot but I feel like it's a turn of phrase that is dying out.

[SmallBee]

I'm from the South East and never ever heard of it. I love that there is a word for this though!

[OnceUponATimeInAmerica]

It's not regional dialect. I would only occasionally use it myself but I am not one for spending much time on titivating myself. I remember my father using it though so maybe more generational.

[Gersemi]

Yes, I know it, spelt as titivate.

[RyderWhiteSwan]

Yeah titivate. Tweaking and faffing! not Northern. I've heard the expression "I've sided the room" which I believe IS Northern?

[RickOShay]

My sister and I use it with each other in a pisstake kind of way,
‘Just got to titivate the airing cupboard’
Never heard anybody else use it though.