Everyday lifeMyths & disputes

posh

Posh probably began as Romani paš 'half', which English Romani speakers used for a halfpenny; thieves' slang made it money, then a dandy, and finally anything smart. It does not stand for 'Port Out, Starboard Home'.

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The story you may have heard

An acronym of 'Port Out, Starboard Home', the shady cabins of rich passengers sailing to India. No ticket or record stamped P.O.S.H. has ever been found, and the story is first attested only in 1933.

The road to English

1800Romani

Hops are evenly spaced; labels show the year each form is first attested.

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