posh
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posh¹
- /pɑʃ/ US
- /pɒʃ/ UK
- /pəʊʃ/ UK
Rhymes with -ɒʃ
Where it comes from
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.
adjective posher · more posh · poshest · most posh
-
Associated with the upper classes.
She talks with a posh accent.
Similar: upper-crust
- Stylish; elegant; exclusive; luxurious; expensive. Near-synonym: plush
-
Snobbish, materialistic, prejudiced, under the illusion that one is better than everyone else.
We have a right posh git moving in next door.
Similar: stuck-up
interjection
- An exclamation expressing derision. The czar! Posh! I slap my fingers--I snap my fingers at him.
noun poshes
- A halfpenny or other coin of little value.
- Money.
verb poshes · poshing · poshed
-
To make posh or posher (more posh).
Similar: poshen
posh²
Where it comes from
Compare pash (“smash, bash; of rain: fall heavily”).
noun poshes
- 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.
- Fragments produced by an impact.
- Slush.
Posh³
proper noun
- 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).
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: stylish, classy, fashionable, swish, rich, upscale, elegant, deluxe, trendy, ritzy, chic, fine, swank, luxurious, luxury, swanky
Translations
Every language
adj associated with the upper classes
| Español | pijo, fresa, pituco, cheto, fifí, fichudo |
|---|---|
| Français | huppé, bourge, bobo |
| Deutsch | vornehm |
| Italiano | lussuoso, affettato, ostentato, manierato, ricercato, lezioso |
| Русский | аристократи́ческий aristokratíčeskij |
adj stylish, elegant, exclusive
| Español | pijo, elitista, de postín, ficho, popof |
|---|---|
| Português | chique |
| Français | huppé, chic |
| Deutsch | schick, todschick |
| Italiano | elegante, esclusivo, alla moda |
| Ελληνικά | κυριλέ kyrilé |
| Русский | шика́рный šikárnyj |
adj snobbish
| Español | fresón, fifí |
|---|---|
| Português | esnobe |
| Italiano | snobistico |
Talk about this word "posh." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/posh. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. posh. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/posh "posh." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/posh.Cite this
@misc{posh_2026,
title = {posh},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/posh},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
