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AIBU unreasonable to hate the word posh?

(173 Posts)
Sago Thu 10-Nov-22 09:09:17

Is it just me?
I hate the word with a passion.
Posh hotel, posh restaurant, posh neighbours…..
What does it even mean?

growstuff Thu 10-Nov-22 11:11:58

Snap GG13 wink

Esspee Thu 10-Nov-22 11:12:40

I never hear that word nowadays. The phrase is now "high end" or "upmarket" or other pretentious tosh. Just means over priced in my book.

growstuff Thu 10-Nov-22 11:13:39

I get the posh crockery out of the cupboard when we have guests.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 10-Nov-22 11:16:38

growstuff

I get the posh crockery out of the cupboard when we have guests.

One of my tasks this weekend is to sort out the posh dinner service and cutlery in time for Christmas Lunch.

Obviously I am a lost cause 🤣🤣🤣🤣

GrannyGravy13 Thu 10-Nov-22 11:19:12

According to the AC it’s now called going out out as opposed to going to a posh place

Another example of how the beautiful English Language evolves through the years.

MaizieD Thu 10-Nov-22 11:30:53

I don't hate it as much as the OP does, but I do dislike its use in a derogatory way. Or as a marker for inverted snobbery.

I'm perfectly happy with jokey 'posh frocks' or 'posh dinner services'.

So, I think you're being a 'bit' unreasonable, Sago

nanna8 Thu 10-Nov-22 11:39:01

I haven’t heard it in a while. It doesn’t worry me, I think it has different connotations here.

Blossoming Thu 10-Nov-22 11:51:48

When we were children we used to refer to ‘posh’ people as poshties and we probably were mocking them if I’m honest. Children can be so cruel.

I have since learned that a poshtie is an Oriental rug.

kittylester Thu 10-Nov-22 12:15:24

We got rid of our posh crockery and cutlery gg. We have nice stuff for every day now and just use that. The only thing that comes out for Christmas and the like are the big old serving dishes and the hot trolley - but i don't think that's posh. I thinking it's decidedly middle class.

Tizliz Thu 10-Nov-22 12:20:26

Posh to me is changing out of my dog walking jeans and fleece, and emptying poo bags (clean) out of my pockets - so embarrassing when looking for a hankie

GrannyGravy13 Thu 10-Nov-22 12:38:36

kittylester

We got rid of our posh crockery and cutlery gg. We have nice stuff for every day now and just use that. The only thing that comes out for Christmas and the like are the big old serving dishes and the hot trolley - but i don't think that's posh. I thinking it's decidedly middle class.

We have lovely everyday dinner service but I thought it was a good idea to invite the entire family so we are 20 for Christmas lunch which means getting out all the lesser used tableware 🤣🤣

Also have to empty the hot trolley of board games and see if it still works 🤣

LauraNorderr Thu 10-Nov-22 12:39:48

Posh to me is something a bit more, a bit nicer than the norm, a posh frock rather than the usual jeans and TShirt.
Driving through an affluent area ‘wow there are some posh houses here’.
A restaurant where the food and service are extra special, silver cutlery bone China crockery and crystal glassware might be a bit posh.
Usually more expensive might be considered posh but not always. To my mind posh people are those with a little breeding who go out of their way to make others feel comfortable and welcome, often live in draughty old houses with dog blankets over the stuffed armchairs and drive rusty old bangers.
Schools are either good or poor, whether in the state or public sector, so I can’t see how a school can be described as posh.
Just my humble opinion.

Riverwalk Thu 10-Nov-22 12:55:05

Like others have said, I use posh ironically as in 'posh frock' and certainly don't see it as a derogatory word.

So yes, you're being unreasonable to hate the word - maybe you're just over-sensitive when people refer to your poshness!

Sarah74 Thu 10-Nov-22 13:05:39

I guess people use the word in different ways. Hyacinth Bucket aspired to be ‘poshe’.
Is posh different to upper class?

GagaJo Thu 10-Nov-22 13:07:19

I think the nickname, Posh Spice, said it all really. Posh isn't cultured or elegant. It's Hyacinch Bucket.

LRavenscroft Thu 10-Nov-22 13:07:41

I think the word 'posh' should come in inverted commas as it is an acronym. I quite like the historical roots of the word.

ShazzaKanazza Thu 10-Nov-22 13:13:00

I say the word but only when I’m impressed. Like ooh this is a posh restaurant or a posh hotel or the menu is very posh. I’d love a posh accent Sago I don’t like my Hull one.

Joseanne Thu 10-Nov-22 13:15:18

GagaJo

I think the nickname, Posh Spice, said it all really. Posh isn't cultured or elegant. It's Hyacinch Bucket.

I think I remember VB got given that name in the band because her dad drove a Roller at the time!

Grammaretto Thu 10-Nov-22 13:26:15

I think the word POSH has always been used in a derogatory way.
It was Colonial slang. It described people who went first class who were not very nice.

POHMs is another one and was a rude way to describe English immigrants into Australia. prisoner of his majesty

I daresay both expressions have changed their original meaning.

growstuff Thu 10-Nov-22 13:30:21

Sarah74

I guess people use the word in different ways. Hyacinth Bucket aspired to be ‘poshe’.
Is posh different to upper class?

One of my grandmothers could have been the role model for Hyacinth Bucket. When she came to stay with us as children, my sisters and I would complain that we would have to be posh while she was with us.

V3ra Thu 10-Nov-22 13:30:59

When I was thirteen we moved to a different town. My parents sent me to the fee-paying school in the nearby city.
One of the local teenagers, who I'd never met before, said to me, "Oh you're that snob that goes to that posh school."
Lots of assumptions there!
I merely went to the school my parents decided on, I had no choice about it and didn't like it very much either ☹️

Grandma70s Thu 10-Nov-22 13:36:05

I would never use the word seriously. It’s a sort of jokey, ironic description.

I’ve been described as ‘posh’ when I was in hospital. I think it’s because I live in the north but don’t have, and have never had, a northern accent.

Sago Thu 10-Nov-22 13:58:22

ShazzaKanazza

I say the word but only when I’m impressed. Like ooh this is a posh restaurant or a posh hotel or the menu is very posh. I’d love a posh accent Sago I don’t like my Hull one.

I love regional accentsShazza it’s wonderful to know someone is from Hull or Birmingham we should be proud.
I don’t have one because I was forced into elocution lessons from an early age and went to a school where most of the accents were neutral.
“Ser dernt woreee bout yer ull accent😉

Yammy Thu 10-Nov-22 13:58:46

We all used it for the singer in the spice girls did anyone object? People still call her that, not Victoria or Mrs Beckham
It depends on what context it is used and the tone of voice.
I was taught like others it was from the days of the British Raj, just like the Fishing fleet or Returned empties.
As for private schools, which really is another issue, I'm with Sago. We all do what is best for our children if we can afford it.
I can talk English three ways, what some would call "posh", , normal everyday speech for the area I live in and at home the very regional local accent I was brought up with.hmm

Yammy Thu 10-Nov-22 14:01:15

ShazzaKanazza

I say the word but only when I’m impressed. Like ooh this is a posh restaurant or a posh hotel or the menu is very posh. I’d love a posh accent Sago I don’t like my Hull one.

Wait while next week and the Hull one might be all the rage like a Scouse one used to be.