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Posh……..a compliment or an insult?

(194 Posts)
Sago Wed 01-Jan-25 14:37:28

Resurrecting an old one here but it’s a good debate.

I hate the word posh, I am never sure if it is an insult or a compliment.

What does it even mean?

I was taught that using the word posh indicated a poor vocabulary.

AIBU?

Shinamae Wed 01-Jan-25 14:39:27

I believe it was a status thing when people travelled on ships
If they were rich enough, they could travel Port out starboard Home… And that was apparently a good thing 🤓

Smileless2012 Wed 01-Jan-25 14:40:16

I think it depends on the context, it can be a compliment for example 'that's a posh dress you're wearing'.

SueDonim Wed 01-Jan-25 14:49:27

Posh is just another word, in my milieu. It isn’t freighted with any hidden meaning, that I’m aware of.

Boz Wed 01-Jan-25 14:53:16

I was taught never to use it as it designated you as common!

Indigo8 Wed 01-Jan-25 14:54:18

I agree it can be derogatory as in "Too posh to push".
Or complimentary as in "A posh car"

I am not sure if the use of the word "posh" is an education or class indicator as often it is used ironically.

It is not a word that I use and I am uneducated, working class.

Sago Wed 01-Jan-25 14:57:37

Indigo8

I agree it can be derogatory as in "Too posh to push".
Or complimentary as in "A posh car"

I am not sure if the use of the word "posh" is an education or class indicator as often it is used ironically.

It is not a word that I use and I am uneducated, working class.

What is a “posh” car?

Is it prestigious, beautiful, swanky, fancy, upmarket?

I feel it’s usually said with a sneer.

Babs03 Wed 01-Jan-25 15:06:03

Have always used the word 'posh' to indicate something that is classy and upmarket. Have never used it in a derogatory way.
The derogatory way to refer to someone who puts on airs and graces imho is to say 'she is all fur coat and no knickers.'

MissAdventure Wed 01-Jan-25 15:06:43

It's just a not very imaginative word, to me.

Wyllow3 Wed 01-Jan-25 15:12:43

I think it's now used in a myriad of ways and depends on the context and who has said it.

As in "she lives on the posher side of town" (simple description, not perjorative as in more money around, bigger houses)

But also can be used as "putting on airs and graces" (pejorative)

A posh frock - smart, looks good, taken care to choose, no sneer.

SueDonim Wed 01-Jan-25 15:17:58

Lots of words aren’t imaginative and I don’t think they need to be, otherwise it ends up as purple prose.

TerriBull Wed 01-Jan-25 15:22:25

I regard the word as a pretty tongue in cheek description, not to be taken too seriously.

paddyann54 Wed 01-Jan-25 16:25:54

It’s an insult ,someone who has forgotten their roots ,who believes they are superior .Of course Ilive in a part of the country where someone who behaves like this can be brought back to earth fast by telling them “ you’re doing fine BUT I Kent yir faither”
In other words I know where you come from so don’t act all superior with me ….lo.

M0nica Wed 01-Jan-25 16:32:04

It is a put-down word, to devalue anyone who has anything you like but cannot afford.

Hence 'Ooh, that is a posh dress', 'they have a posh car', Oh you live in a pasoh area'.

Not a word I use, except in parenthesese

Ilovedogs22 Wed 01-Jan-25 16:32:52

SueDonim

Posh is just another word, in my milieu. It isn’t freighted with any hidden meaning, that I’m aware of.

That's rather a posh answer SueDonim! 😊

kittylester Wed 01-Jan-25 16:33:10

I think my mother aspired to be posh.

Our family use it as an easy way of saying something looks flashy.

MissAdventure Wed 01-Jan-25 16:39:19

I wouldn't use it in a way that was disparaging.
If I say someone or thing is posh, that's what I mean.

Sago Wed 01-Jan-25 16:42:55

MissAdventure

I wouldn't use it in a way that was disparaging.
If I say someone or thing is posh, that's what I mean.

But please tell me what do you mean?
What is something that is “posh”?

MissAdventure Wed 01-Jan-25 16:47:52

Erm, a beautiful home, with tasteful, no doubt expensive, furniture, towels, crockery, and a tended, neat, expansive garden.

A sleek car, with a beautiful, leather interior.

A pedigree dog, as you would see at crafts- groomed immaculately, with silken fur.

My ideas of posh, I suppose.

NonGrannyMoll Wed 01-Jan-25 16:47:54

Just like "working class", "titled", "disabled" or a multitude of other generalisations, it's just another catch-all word the use of which, because it means different things to different people, is almost completely pointless. But we all use these words, all the time (reasons on a postcard, please - no, don't). Finding one definition is impossible - it boils down to "how long is a piece of string?" Just go with the flow of the subject in hand, bearing in mind who's saying it and why.

escaped Wed 01-Jan-25 16:52:56

Interesting that the word "posh" has come up a few times to do with a car here.
Victoria Adams, now Beckham, was named "Posh Spice" because her dad drove a Rolls.

MissAdventure Wed 01-Jan-25 16:55:52

How could I forget?
A beautifully turned out man, in a well fitting suit, who smells gorgeous, is well spoken, and appears to be very self assured and competent.

welbeck Wed 01-Jan-25 17:00:03

Milieu and freighted
are examples of posh words.
Discuss.
This where on MN they would announce they are sitting back with popcorn to watch the show.

welbeck Wed 01-Jan-25 17:01:27

MissAdventure

How could I forget?
A beautifully turned out man, in a well fitting suit, who smells gorgeous, is well spoken, and appears to be very self assured and competent.

Sounds well dodgy to me.
Run for the hills time.

eazybee Wed 01-Jan-25 17:02:09

Posh is the sort of word that is said with imaginary inverted commas, accompanied by a self-deprecating smile , or a sneer. to indicate you know it isn't a real word but you can't think of anything more appropriate.