Posh……..a compliment or an insult?

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 🤓

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.'

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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! 😊

I think my mother aspired to be posh.

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

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

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”?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.