diff --git a/src/axes.jl b/src/axes.jl
index 84876980..c95b5db7 100644
--- a/src/axes.jl
+++ b/src/axes.jl
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ end
 
 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-Base.show(io::IO, axis::Axis) = dumpdict(axis.plotattributes, "Axis", true)
+Base.show(io::IO, axis::Axis) = dumpdict(io, axis.plotattributes, "Axis", true)
 # Base.getindex(axis::Axis, k::Symbol) = getindex(axis.plotattributes, k)
 Base.setindex!(axis::Axis, v, ks::Symbol...) = setindex!(axis.plotattributes, v, ks...)
 Base.haskey(axis::Axis, k::Symbol) = haskey(axis.plotattributes, k)
diff --git a/src/utils.jl b/src/utils.jl
index 9d0316b7..c41eb8a7 100644
--- a/src/utils.jl
+++ b/src/utils.jl
@@ -814,10 +814,10 @@ function debugplots(on = true)
   _debugMode.on = on
 end
 
-debugshow(x) = show(x)
-debugshow(x::AbstractArray) = print(summary(x))
+debugshow(io, x) = show(io, x)
+debugshow(io, x::AbstractArray) = print(io, summary(x))
 
-function dumpdict(plotattributes::KW, prefix = "", alwaysshow = false)
+function dumpdict(io::IO, plotattributes::KW, prefix = "", alwaysshow = false)
   _debugMode.on || alwaysshow || return
   println()
   if prefix != ""
@@ -825,13 +825,13 @@ function dumpdict(plotattributes::KW, prefix = "", alwaysshow = false)
   end
   for k in sort(collect(keys(plotattributes)))
     @printf("%14s: ", k)
-    debugshow(plotattributes[k])
+    debugshow(io, plotattributes[k])
     println()
   end
   println()
 end
-DD(plotattributes::KW, prefix = "") = dumpdict(plotattributes, prefix, true)
-
+DD(io::IO, plotattributes::KW, prefix = "") = dumpdict(io, plotattributes, prefix, true)
+DD(plotattributes::KW, prefix = "") = DD(stdout, plotattributes, prefix)
 
 function dumpcallstack()
   error()  # well... you wanted the stacktrace, didn't you?!?