Though still morning here on the Cutoff, it has already been a posh sort of day.
Some days are like that, aren’t they? You awaken and there, poof, a word or a phrase or a jingle of music creeps in and, tada, it becomes yours for the day.
Quite posh!
First posh popped off of my fingers as I typed in a comment to Andra’s fun and witty series about lavatories she has encountered in her many travels.
Then, there was Kate and her uniquely informative blog about Ascot.
Finally, an email arrived from the unique downtown Chicago store, P.O.S.H. After spending a few minutes viewing their newest items (it was really more than a few minutes), I wondered how many of you know where the word posh comes from and thought you might find this interesting. It is copied from the P.O.S.H. website, which can be found here.
The Questions We Get Asked!
Q: What does P.O.S.H. stand for?
A: A little known bit of trivia, the word posh actually began as an acronym. It all started at the turn of the last century when there was considerable steamship traffic between England and India. The wealthy passengers would book their cabins on the Port side of the ship going Out of England and on the Starboard side of the ship for the return journey Home.
This kept them safely out of the blistering sun while making the 30-plus day journey into the sweaty climes of the Indian sub-continent. Tickets were stamped P.O.S.H. (for Port Out Starboard Home) and people began using the acronym as a word to describe luxury travel and elegant accomodations.
“Right after the New Year, we’re traveling posh to India.” Go ahead, practice saying that in your best “Queen’s English”!
Image source google.
Posh is no longer posh. Certainly the expression is a bit off nowadays. If somebody calls you posh their manners leave something to be desired.
Like all such phrases, when they become commonplace, they become common.
No truly ‘posh’ person wants to be called posh. Having never been posh (class doesn’t exist in Germany – it’s money or education which gives you kudos – I can, and do, use the expression in a jokey manner.
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I do, too, Friko. It was a just a funny morning with posh popping up in quick succession. Thanks for commenting.
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I love the word and I think I will practice saying it with my nose in the air, Penny! Why not! I wouldn’t have considered it an acronym, that’s certain! Sounds to me like your day is getting off to a splending start! Between you, Andra and Kate…I do learn so much! 🙂 Debra
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Isn’t it fun, Debra? I tend to be serious and reflective, but all this poshiness (I just made that up) is silly fun. Now, go practice . . .
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Well, I learn something new every day. I had no idea that POSH was an acronym. I will wish you “posh” accommodations in all of your travels. I imagine almost anything we have today would be posh compared to turn of the century travel, but it is still a fun word.
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I wish you the same poshness, Janet. How right you are. We have air conditioned cars that tell us where to go and airplanes that fly and houses and refrigeration and on and on – especially flushing toilets. It is fun, isn’t it? I wonder how you will use it in the next few days . . .
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Dear Penny, oh so that’s comfort–port side out; starboard home. I must remember that as I travel through life “poshily”! Peace.
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Imagine poshiness of it coming up in conversation next time you travel, Dee.
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Who knew? Positively Outstanding Sleuthing, Honestly!
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Love that, Karen, may have to nick it 😀
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Ha! There you are, Karen, quick your wit. Looks like Kate, and I, will be using it.
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Penny, I LOVED this so much I was forced to write briefly in capitals.Thank you for the link, and here’s one in return. Listening to Lionel Jeffreys with relish as I type….
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Forgot the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNpWBMNyC0w
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Oh, how fun that was. I’ll be singing it for the rest of the day and looking to watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang soon. Leave it to you, Kate, to remember this song. Thank you. Ohhhhhhh, the posh, posh . . .
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Thank you for this fun information! I always assumed the word meant luxurious or sort of snooty or snob-like. I still like it and will us it but with more panache.
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There you go, Marilyn. Posh with panache. Won’t it be tempting to use your new knowledge sometime soon!
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Posh is a great word, Penny. I never knew its origins. 🙂
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Isn’t it fun to discover these things, Andra?
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After traveling modern coach to Ireland, I’m sorry Penny, I just cannot bring my self to say “I’m traveling POST” in any accent! 🙂
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POSH I meant!
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Ha! Modern coach is better any way you cut it to that long ocean voyage around the Cape, I’m sure.
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I love language and this bit of trivia!
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And I must add that I take posh as a compliment!
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I’m so pleased for you to say so. It is fun, isn’t it, to discover the meaning behind words and phrases and such?
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How fascinating that is. Thank you Penny.
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You are quite welcome, Juliet.
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Port Out, Starboard Home. Coined in England for transatlantic journeys.
Travelling west, Port (the left side of the ship ) faced south, therefore getting the sun during the day. On the home journey, the starboard side (the right) got the sun. The rich folk paid for cabins on these sides of the ship, and their luggage was marked P.O.S.H, so they became known as the posh people.
A rare visit, Penny. Such a lot has happened in our lives. But I did enjoy this post.
John
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So nice to have your comment, John, and your perspective. Indeed, a lot has happened and what a century the 20th was. I can only imagine what the 21st will bring. Right now, post people seem to be ruling the roost here in the States. I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed this one, John.
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Interesting — I did not know that about POSH (although that’s probably not a surprise to anybody)….. I am so grateful to have Google Reader, which makes it easier to catch up with my favorite bloggers after getting behind while roadtripping. Missed you!
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Missed you as well, Sallie, and just saw that you had a few postings. Welcome back to the blogging world.
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