Posh

What is the origin of the word Posh?


The story goes that the more well-to-do passengers travelling to and from India used to have POSH written against their bookings standing for Port Out, Starboard Home (indicating the more desirable cabins on the shady side of the ship). Unfortunately, this story did not make its appearance until the 1930s when the term had been in use for some twenty years and the word does not appear to have been recorded in the form P.O.S.H. which would be expected if it had originated as an abbreviation. Despite exhaustive enquiries by the late Mr. George Chowdharay-Best, researcher for the OED, including interviews with former travellers and inspection of shipping company documents, no supporting evidence has been found.





Other Related Links:


• What are the Canons of Etymology?
• Was the first computer Bug a real insect?
• I'm sure I know The Origin of The Word...
• What is the origin of the phrase Sleep Tight?
• What are The Origins of a.m. and p.m.?

• Batsman who makes no runs at cricket is said to be Out for a Duck. Why?
• What is the origin of Love meaning nil in tennis scoring?
• What is the origin of the phrase : The Bee's Knees?
• What is the origin of the term Flea Market?
• What is the origin of the term Dressed to the Nines?

• What is the origin of the word OK?
• What is the origin of the word Jaywalking?
• What is the origin of the word Grockle?
• What is the origin of the word Codswallop?
• What is the origin of the term Brass Monkey?

• What is the origin of the word Snob?
• What is the origin of the word Quiz?
• What is the origin of the word Posh?
• What is the origin of the word Penguin?
• What is the origin of the word News?

• What is the origin of the word Lukewarm?
• What is the origin of the word Love?
• What is the origin of the word Loo?
• What is the origin of the word Nous?