AIBU unreasonable to hate the word posh?

There are much more important happenings for Sago to take offence at.

Sago

ShazzaKanazza Rerd or tenfoot?
I had no idea until I left Hull in 1983 that tenfoots were not universal!

We were posh or snobs if we passed our eleven plus and the other school used to wait for our bus and shout it at us. Some of the children that shouted it at me lived on the same street and actually stopped calling for me to play . They assumed I would not want to play anymore.

Dickens

Sago

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

It irritates me too - and I can't quite explain why.

It's something to do with the 'class' system - the idea that there are establishments (restaurants, hotels, etc) that are designed specifically for the 'right' people and we are supposed to be impressed. That doesn't really explain what I mean, but it's the closest I can get to it.

As for posh neighbours. Well, I was once described as "posh" and as I come from a very ordinary working-class background, speak with a standard London accent, have no airs nor graces (and no money to speak of) - I have absolutely no idea what it means. I was, in fact, in the same boat as the people who called me posh. They did mention the fact that they'd heard classical music emanating from my open kitchen window - who knew that made you "posh" - it was only Classic FM!

In the same vein, here's another idiom that grates - "toff".

I think it's because I just don't like the idea of being expected to be in awe of something or someone.

Restaurants, hotels, pubs - anywhere where people gather socially should just be pleasant, comfortable places, and people, well, as long as they are sociable and civilised - they can be Princes or Paupers as far as I'm concerned. Nice people are nice people.

I'm sure this makes little sense, but just wanted to add context!

Dickens Great post, very eloquent.
Thank you.

Caleo

There are much more important happenings for Sago to take offence at.

Caleo Of course there are, the same could be said of many of the threads on here from chilblains to homosexual children.

This forum can be light hearted, heaven knows we need it with all the doom and gloom.

Light hearted for me too, not a word I take seriously.
I use the word ‘smart’ rather than posh, smart hotel, restaurant etc.

hollysteers - maybe "smart" is what "posh" once meant?
I like some quite "smart" places. Not sure I'd like them if they were "posh"!

hollysteers

Light hearted for me too, not a word I take seriously.
I use the word ‘smart’ rather than posh, smart hotel, restaurant etc.

They are not at all the same imho.

At my brother’s school they wore straw boaters in summer. They were mercilessly mocked by the local boys, and even had stones thrown at them. This was in the 1950s.

The English are very sensitive about class. It isn’t only about money. Speech is more important. If you were a tramp but spoke like Prince Charles or BorisJohnson you would still be considered posh. If you were very rich but spoke with a regional accent you wouldn’t really be thought posh.



Is this the case in other countries?

I love smart Hôtels, and don't like posh ones.

At my school we wore straw boaters in summer and were mercilessly mocked by the local boys (and girls), and even had stones thrown at us and our hair pulled. This was in the 1950s.

Can’t say it’s ever bothered me and until today I don’t think I’d heard the word for months and months!

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I was called posh many times due to the fact I went to private school.

Posh is not a word I would ever use about anyone.

It's just a word at the end of the day. I would perhaps use it in select / intimate conversation with close family members.

I hate the word. It is used by people who are envious and resentful if other people have something they cannot have.

It is used to dismiss things other people have, and the people who own or aspire to own something, with a sneer, 'Oh, very posh'

By the way, 'posh' is not an acronym for 'Port Out Starboard Home'. This is an explanation invented after the word had come into use.

Both the reputable links below that story out of the water

www.merriam-webster.com/help/faq-posh

www.wordorigins.org/big-list-entries/posh

I think I sort of agree with your first paragraph Monica but if I am using about myself then why would I be envious?
Say, "I'm going out to a posh restaurant tonight and looking forward to a posh meal," might just mean Veeraswamy as opposed to the local curry house where I also go. What imean is, it can be used to describe varying degrees.

joseanne but when you or othes use 'posh' in that way, it is usually said and used in the conscious understanding that the word is mildly derogatory.

M0nica

joseanne but when you or othes use 'posh' in that way, it is usually said and used in the conscious understanding that the word is mildly derogatory.

Yes

and No!

Self derogatory deprecating if one uses it about oneself with humour??
It's all in the tone maybe.

"I'm about to jump in my posh car (Mercedes) to go to my posh school (private) wearing my posh cashmere rollneck (Jaeger) because we have (posh) Parents' afternoon tea served on posh (bone china plates)."

😃 at myself!

M0nica

I hate the word. It is used by people who are envious and resentful if other people have something they cannot have.

It is used to dismiss things other people have, and the people who own or aspire to own something, with a sneer, 'Oh, very posh'

That is a massive generalisation MOnica.

I use 'posh' sometimes but never in an envious way nor in a derogatory.

Please don't attribute attitudes to me - or anyone else for that matter.

M0nica

joseanne but when you or othes use 'posh' in that way, it is usually said and used in the conscious understanding that the word is mildly derogatory.

I have never and will never use posh in a derogatory way

M0nica

I hate the word. It is used by people who are envious and resentful if other people have something they cannot have.

It is used to dismiss things other people have, and the people who own or aspire to own something, with a sneer, 'Oh, very posh'

Monica I'm surprised at your take on the word - I think more along the lines of Joseanne's Veeraswamy analogy!

Posh is a quick useful word to describe something that's upmarket, high-end, rarefied, etc.

If I describe a local store as a 'posh deli' most people would understand what I mean, and I hope they wouldn't think I'm envious.

Love your second link M0nica
Still don't know the truth but SO interesting.
Thank you!