You won't find a better selection of a dictionary illustration of 'tacky' than this nightmare makeover

 

Dictionary definition:  Merriam-Webster

According to Merriam-Webster, the first-known use of 'tacky' as an adjective occurred in 1862.

Other coinages from the same year include:

1. anti-draft
2. double jeopardy
3. executive order
4. lollygag
5. long-tailed weasel
6. overexpansion
7. pelvic girdle
8. snake doctor
9. stickup

Other vocabulary posts:

2025

Chikungunya.  (8/6)

Mankeeping.  (8/5)

Hypergamy.  (7/31)

Situationship.  (7/30)

Lollygag.  (5/22)

Bummer.  (5/20)

TV dinner.  (2/3)

March-December 2024

Deepfake.  (9/1)

Life coach.  (6/30)

Face-plant.  (6/8)

Veggie.  (4/26)  

Dox/doxxing  (4/11)

Edgelord.  (3/23)

Dad joke. 3/4)

February 2024

Edutainment.  (2/16)

Cut, as an adjective.  (2/13).  .

Flunky.  (2/5)

Janky.  (2/2)

Kiddo.  (2/2)

January 2024

Bonkers.  (1/31)

Heebie-jeebies.  (1/31)

Nudification.  (1/31)

Right-size.  (1/14)

2022

Dumpster fire.  (10/20/2022)

2018

Swinge.  (12/18/2018)

2017

Michael Flynn vocabulary lesson.  (2/14/2017)

2013

Yaw.  (2/28/2013)