I learned this just the other day o the travel channel. During the days of lots steamship travel to India passengers would want to avoid the sun as much as possible so they would book their cabin as Port Out Starboard Home. These cabins would naturally cost more. Well this is what they said anyroad.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, United States
873 posts
OK.
Posted by
Boulder, CO, USA
780 posts
I love it Laurel! i like tidbits of info. I am full of them myself!
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
The Oxford Companion to the English Language: "There appears to be no basis for the derivation from PORT OUT(WARD) STARBOARD HOME(WARD)abbreviated to P.O.S.H. ..."
It apparently began in the early 1900's as a slang term, that meant splendid, wonderful, lavish, etc. but the derivation is not certain. Too bad, I've always loved the steamship travel explanation.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2083 posts
I have always liked the Italian phrase " E non vero ma ben detto " as I recall from Italian 101. It essentially means " OK, so maybe it's not true, but it makes a good story".
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
How about the word "ritzy", as in Paris Ritz (you know, where Rick stays these days, while the rest of us dutifully follow his advice to stay at ** places in the Marais or Rue Cler)* Footnote: Rick at the Ritz is purely a figment of my cynical imagination, I know he'd never do that.
Posted by
Brea, CA, USA
36 posts
Isn't Posh one of the Spice Girls? :)
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10601 posts
Yes, she's married to soccer superstar David Beckham. I'll bet THEY have a very posh life!
Posted by
OP
Arlington, WA
993 posts
Norma, I like the nautical explanation too, well obviously. Perhaps the editors of The Oxford Companion to the English Language should watch more TV.
Sorry. I missed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. And if it's good enough for Cunard to perpetuate P.O.S.H. legend is good enough for me
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
That reminds me of GOLF - Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden! It's way too easy to take any group of words and make something fit to your liking.
Posted by
Pawtucket, RI, USA
118 posts
OMG! This site is fun.
Posted by
Kansas City
30 posts
Years ago, I read that Shit High In Transit was stamped on crates of manure during shipment of livestock (to be used as fertilizer upon arrival).
Posted by
Norfolk, USA
255 posts
Sorry, Tim.....myth....
However, in Spain if you want to attend a bullfight, you do purchase your ticket based on sol "sun" or "sombra" shade. The "sombra" tickets ARE the more expensive.