Chasing Joy

Posh

Posh is an informal adjective for "upper class", of uncertain origin. The term is 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". 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 tra… more »