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posh

adj
/pɑʃ/US/pɒʃ/UK

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”) came to refer to money generally. A period slang dictionary defines "posh" as a term used by thieves for "money : generic, but specifically, a halfpenny or other small coin". An example is given from James Payn's The 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. A popular folk etymology holds that the term is an acronym for "port out, starboard home", 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. It could also possibly be a clipping of polished. See also the articles mentioned in the References section below for additional discussion.

  1. derived from posh — “half”

Definitions

  1. Associated with the upper classes.

    • She talks with a posh accent.

  2. Stylish

    Stylish; elegant; exclusive; luxurious; expensive.

    • Near-synonym: plush
    • After the performance, they went out to a very posh restaurant.
    • “Miss Shaw’s got a new frock,” said Harriet. ”So she has! How posh of her! […]”

  3. Snobbish, materialistic, prejudiced, under the illusion that one is better than everyone…

    Snobbish, materialistic, prejudiced, under the illusion that one is better than everyone else.

    • We have a right posh git moving in next door.
  4. ›+ 8 more definitions

    1. An exclamation expressing derision.

      • The czar! Posh! I slap my fingers--I snap my fingers at him.

    2. A halfpenny or other coin of little value.

    3. Money.

    4. To make posh or posher (more posh).

    5. A sudden and heavy fall or gush of rain or water.

      • Did yer see what a posh the water came down the bruck ater the thaw, and no wonder the snow was a fut deep.
      • There has been quite a posh of rain.
      • I could hear the posh of water issuing from the mouth of a lion fountain that was set in a nearby niche. He was on his knees, kissing my feet and legs until I was in a state of churning lust.

    6. Fragments produced by an impact.

    7. Slush.

    8. Peterborough United F.C., a football club from Peterborough, England.

      • Peterbough United have been playing at Lincoln, in something of a local derby. EMR has put on a six-car Class 158 as an additional train, to take 'Posh' fans home (Posh is the team's nickname, by the way).

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for posh. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA