AIBU unreasonable to hate the word posh?

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.

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 ☹️

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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!

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.

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 🤣

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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 🤣🤣🤣🤣

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

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.

Snap GG13

I agree with you Baggs.

I use it ironically. For example, if I get invited to a nice restaurant or a formal dinner, I might say "Oooh! Do I get to wear a posh frock?" I would never usually use the words "posh" or "frock", just as I don't often have opportunities to dress up.

kittylester

It's wrong to say everyone else in Britain uses it as an insult. I certainly don't.

I use the word in the same way as Lucca.

So do I.

I am putting on a posh frock today as I am going to a Champagne Afternoon Tea to celebrate a dear friends 60th.

The meaning of a lot of words depends on who's hearing them, who's using them, and in what context. Context always matters.

Posh is one of those words.