Etymology Edit

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 Edit

Adjective Edit

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

Associated with the upper classes. She talks with a posh accent. Stylish, elegant, exclusive (expensive). After the performance they went out to a very posh restaurant. ( , especially in 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 Edit

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 Edit

Translations Edit

associated with the upper classes Bikol Central: sosyal

Chinese: Mandarin: please add this translation if you can

Czech: nóbl (cs)

Dutch: deftig (nl)

Finnish: yläluokkainen (fi)

French: huppé (fr) bourge (fr) German: vornehm (de)

Italian: lussuoso (it) affettato (it) ostentato (it) manierato (it) ricercato (it) lezioso (it)

Polish: luksusowy (pl)

Russian: аристократи́ческий (ru) ( aristokratíčeskij )

Slovak: nóbl

Spanish: pijo (es) m ( Spain ) , fresa (es) n ( Mexico ) , pituco (es) m ( South America ) , cheto (es) m ( Argentina, Uruguay )

, , , Tagalog: sosyal

snobbish Chinese: Mandarin: please add this translation if you can

Esperanto: snobo dando (eo)

Finnish: leuhka Italian: snobistico

Portuguese: esnobe (pt)

Spanish: snob (es) m or f

Spanish: esnob (es) m or f

Interjection Edit

posh!

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 Edit

posh (uncountable)

fragments produced by an impact slush

References Edit

posh at OneLook Dictionary Search

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