by Colin McIntosh, The Cambridge English Dictionary is constantly being updated and expanded to reflect the interests of our users. One area of particular interest to our users is that of English Language Teaching (ELT), and a number of ELT terms have recently been added to the dictionary. We’ve added some of the words that learners of English might. Read More ►.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/posh
As the Oxford English Dictionary explains, there is a possibility that this meaning arose as a transferred use of the noun posh, a slang Romani word meaning ‘money’, or from a different homonym meaning ‘a dandy’.
http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2012/02/what-is-the-origin-of-posh/
“posh”: synonyms and related words: 1  arriviste. 2  bourgeois. 3  class struggle. 4  class-conscious. 5  classless. 6  inverted snob. 7  lower class. 8  lowest common denominator. 9  marry. 10  marry beneath you idiom. 11  prole. 12  proletarian. 13  riff-raff. 14  Sloane Ranger. 15  snob. 16  the upper crust. 17  underclass. 18  untouchable. 19  upper class. 20  upwardly mobile.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/posh
A popular definition seems to be that P.O.S.H was printed on tickets for P&O cruise ships in the early 20th century leaving India. These tickets were for the more desirable rooms which put you on the Port side going out and the Starboard side returning home as it kept you out of the sun and kept the room cool.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=posh
Salty sea tales. Perhaps the most common and, at first glance persuasive, explanation for the origin of posh comes from folk etymology. This popular account suggests that posh is in fact an acronym, standing for port out, starboard home.
http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2012/02/what-is-the-origin-of-posh/
Please note: a wrong but often repeated even on this website is the urban myth is that the word POSH orginated from Port Out Starboard Home-based on based on the position of the more expensive cabins on a passenger ships from England to India-but this is actually nonesense whch has been commonly repeated.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=posh
The meaning and origin of the expression: POSH-Port out, starboard home. Home Phrase Dictionary-Meanings and Origins POSH-Port out, starboard home. Browse phrases beginning with: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T UV W XYZ-Full List.
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/port-out-starboard-home.html
It ultimately comes from the Persian word pōś meaning ‘covering’, which is the same origin as the word papoosh, a type of Turkish or Middle Eastern slipper, usually made from soft leather. However, this origin would pose a phonological problem, and there is no direct evidence for the transition into English.
http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2012/02/what-is-the-origin-of-posh/
posh. The word means rich, aristocratic, wealthy, loaded, fancy, toff, toffee nosed, upper crust, well off, or well to do. The origin of this word actually derives from an old Romany Gypsy slang word for pennies, i.e. if you've a lot of pennies you're well to do, rich, etc. In this light, the word posh can be used as a term of light hearted derision.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=posh
Another possibility that is mooted is that the word comes from an Urdu word safed-pōś, which means ‘well-dressed’ or ‘dressed in white’ and was sometimes applied in a derogatory way to mean ‘affluent’.
http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2012/02/what-is-the-origin-of-posh/
word meaning posh
The word posh means rich, aristocratic, wealthy, loaded, fancy, toffee nosed, upper crust, well off, or well to do. The meaning of the word posh is rich, aristocratic, wealthy, loaded, fancy, toff, toffee nosed, upper crust, well off, or well to do. 