posh

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See also: Posh

English

Etymology

Unknown.

Most likely derived from Romani posh (“half”), either because posh-kooroona (“half a crown”) (originally a substantial sum of money) was used metaphorically for anything pricey or upper-class, or because posh-houri (“half-penny”) became a general term for money.

A period slang dictionary defines "posh" as a term used by thieves for "money : generic, but specifically, a halfpenny or other small coin".[1] An example is given from Page's Eavesdropper (1888): "They used such funny terms: 'brads,' and 'dibbs,' and 'mopusses,' and 'posh' ... at last it was borne in upon me that they were talking about money."

Evidence exists for a slang sense from the 1890s meaning dandy, which is quite possibly related.[2]

A popular folk etymology holds that the term is an acronym for "port out, starboard home",[3] describing the cooler, north-facing cabins taken by the most aristocratic or rich passengers travelling from Britain to India and back. However, there is no evidence for this claim.[4]

See also the articles mentioned in the References section below for additional discussion.

Pronunciation

  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "GenAm" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /pɑʃ/
  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /pɒʃ/
  • Audio (UK):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɒʃ

Adjective

posh (comparative posher or more posh, superlative poshest or most posh)

  1. Associated with the upper classes.
    She talks with a posh accent.
  2. Stylish, elegant, exclusive (expensive).
    After the performance they went out to a very posh restaurant.
  3. (usually offensive, especially in Scotland and Northern England) Snobbish, materialistic, prejudiced, under the illusion that one is better than everyone else.
    We have a right posh git moving in next door

Quotations

  • 1919: "Well, it ain't one of the classic events. It were run over there." Docker jerked a thumb vaguely in the direction of France. "At a 'Concours Hippique,' which is posh for 'Race Meeting.' — Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 156, June 18, 1919

Derived terms

Translations

Interjection

posh!

  1. An exclamation expressing derision.
    • 1889: "The czar! Posh! I slap my fingers--I snap my fingers at him." — Rudyard Kipling, The Man Who Was

Noun

posh (uncountable)

  1. fragments produced by an impact
  2. slush

References

  • “posh”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
  1. ^ Slang and its Analogues Past and Present, volume 5 (London, 1902), John S. Farmer and W.E. Henley (editors), page 261
  2. ^ World Wide Words, "Posh", [1]
  3. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22378819
  4. ^ snopes.com, [2]

Anagrams

Maricopa

Noun

posh

  1. cat

Romani

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Old Armenian փոշի (pʻoši). Doublet of poshík.

Noun

posh

  1. dust

References

  • Ačaṙean, Hračʻeay (1979) “փոշի”, in Hayerēn armatakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), 2nd edition, a reprint of the original 1926–1935 seven-volume edition, volume IV, Yerevan: University Press, page 517a
  • Vaillant, Jean-Alexandre (1868) “pos'”, in Grammaire, dialogues et vocabulaire de la langue des Bohémiens ou Cigains (in French), Paris: Maisonneuve, page 123a
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