The Origin of 'Posh'

The belief that 'posh' is an acronym for 'Port Out, Starboard Home' is a popular myth tied to affluent travelers on ships. This charming tale suggests that wealthy passengers were given tickets marked with 'POSH' to indicate the best cabins for optimal comfort. However, this explanation lacks historical evidence, as no such tickets have ever been found. The actual origins of 'posh' may include a slang term for a coin, a reference to dandyism, or even derivation from an Urdu phrase meaning 'dressed in white', underscoring the complexities of word origins.