posh
/pɒʃ/
adjective
Origin
English
unknown — unknown
Overview
Meaning Now
- Elegant, fashionable, or stylish in an upper-class way.
- Expensive, luxurious, or exclusive.
Language path
English
Earliest form
posh
Earliest period
late 19th century
Journey
The term appeared in late 19th-century British slang. The persistent folk etymology suggests it is an acronym for 'Port Out, Starboard Home' (referring to the cooler, more desirable sides of a ship on the route between England and India). However, historical research by etymologists like Stephen Goranson has shown no contemporary records of this acronym, leading many to believe it is a backronym.
Evolution
- 1890s
posh
“a dandy or person with showy dress”
First recorded in the slang of the British music hall.
- 1910s
posh
“luxurious, high-class”
Usage shifted to describe comfort and wealth.
Connections
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