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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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posh
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Word meaning rich and classy which first appeared in Punch in 1918 and for which many explanations have been put forward, all lacking in proof. Undoubtedly the most beguiling is that the initials stood for Port Out Starboard Home, those being the north-facing sides of a ship making the journey to India and back (offering therefore the coolest and most desirable cabins). Etymological sleuths have checked on cabin prices and interviewed passengers who made the journey at the time but have found no evidence of the word's use in this sense. But it is far simpler and more elegant than most guesses at derivation and deserves perpetuating for that reason alone.
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