Slang is used numerous times in a single twenty-four hour day. Also, slang words have been replacing original definitions over many years. Every culture uses slang to describe everything from cars to someone�s personality. Slang words change over the years, for example, in the seventies the slang word �groovy� meant, �to have a good time.� (OED)  However, the slang word �groovy� has since been replaced with more modern slang words, such as �phat� or �killen.� No matter what year or culture, slang is used everyday. In this paper, I plan to describe the word �posh� to you, I will include all of its slang meanings and literal meanings and argue why it should be admitted into the Standard American Dictionary.

          One definition of the word �posh� is �fragments produced by a smash�(OED). �When the tree fell in the window, it produced a lot of posh.� Another definition of the word �posh� is �a soft, decayed, rotten, or pulpy mass�(OED).  The sample sentence of this definition is: � The tree turned to posh.�  Also, �posh� can mean, � a state of slush�(OED).   An illustration of this is: �The snow turned to posh.�(OED).  Another definition of the word �posh� that was introduced in 1924, is �Balderdash, rubbish, or bosh� (OED).   A representation sentence is: �On the subject of school reform you are talking complete posh!�  In addition to its� many original definitions, �posh� also has countless slang definitions. For example, �posh� can mean �money; specifically a halfpenny or coin of small value�(OED).  This slang form is called �thieves� slang� and was first introduced in the 1830�s. This is noun form of �posh�.  An example of this form of slang is: The robbers hid the stolen posh in a cave. Slang words similar to this slang definition are �loot� which was introduced in1943 Scotland, and was perceived to be �money received on pay day,�(OED) and �dough� which also means �money� (OED) and originated in the United States in 1851. (OED) Example sentences are: The computer cost a lot of loot; and, I make a lot of dough working at the bakery. When talking about �posh� as money, some people become excited and may start to talk quickly, they also might start to fidget and squirm with excitement. Also, when talking about money some people turn greedy and talk with a sly voice and show facial expressions identical of �The Grinches� when he is devising an evil plan. Their eyebrows scrunch up and they get an evil and twisted grin on their face.  Second of all, in 1919 another form of �posh� slang referred to as �war slang� (or slang used during a war by soldiers), was introduced. This type of �posh� slang was referred to as �war slang� because it was often used to mean  � smarten up, or get on your guard for your enemy�(OED).   An example of how to use this slang version of �posh� as a command is a Marine Captain commanding his Marines to �look posh.� Phrases that are similar to this command are  �on your guard� and �look sharp.� These two phrases can be used in the following sentences: O.K. men, on your guard; and, I want everyone to look sharp for the enemy! When using these command you would be very stern and strict, speaking with a loud voice. Also, your face would be very tight and your lips would be pout. However, phrases that are in contrast to �smarten up�, �on your guard�, and �look posh� are �relax yourself� and �calm down�. Two example sentences of these phrases are: All your medical tests came back all right so you can relax yourself; and, Calm down, the storm is over!  When using these phrases you would be at ease and calm, also talking in a calm and smoothing voice.  You could also use you hands to pat the person, whom you are calming, on the back. Finally, your face would be warm and comforting and you would give a kind smile.
 
          The third slang term for �posh� that was introduced in 1932 by D.L. Sayers in his novel, Have His Carcass. The sentence he used it in was: I don�t get time to posh myself up in the morning. This slang meaning of �posh� means to �freshen up� or �make ones self look clean�(OED) An example sentence would be: �I need to posh up before my date.� An opposite slang phrase to this meaning of the �posh� phrase is: �You look like you just came out of a pig�s pen!� This contrasting phrase means you are very dirty. Millions of mothers around the world exclaim this phrase numerous times a day at their children who have gotten themselves into a mess somewhere. I myself, have heard this more then once in my nineteen years; whether it was years ago when I came in from outside with my brother, or last night when she referred to my room as � a pig pen.� When saying this mother�s one hand is on her hip while her other hand is pointing to me or waving in the air in disgust. Also, her voice is high pitched and angry, and her eyes are open wide in disbelief.

          The next slang meaning for the word �posh� is �a dandy, or something excellent in its� class�(OED). This way of using �posh� was first seen in 1867 and used by many famous authors including Fitzgerald. An example sentence of this meaning would be: The governor was very posh in his society. Terms similar to this meaning are �something first rate� and �superb�. Some examples of these words in sentences are: �The cruise was first rate�; and "The dinner was superb.� Contrasting words would be �bad� and �terrible�. An example: �The Christmas dinner turned out terrible.� When referring to something that is �superb� or �first rate� you would have a lot of attitude in your voice and would be very impressed. You might also raise your eyebrows and cover your mouth in disbelief. When talking about something �bad� or �terrible� you have a mean and disgusting voice. You might also shake your head and roll your eyes. This slang meaning is very similar to the slang meaning I choose to try it have admitted into the Standard American Dictionary.

          Derived from the initials � Port Outward, Starboard Home,� referring to the more expensive side, or upper class of accommodation ships formally traveling between England and India the slang word �posh� meaning � a very splendid or stylish object or person� (OED) was formed. This is also the slang definition of �posh� that I am most familiar with. It is also the one I choose to try to get admitted into the Standard American Dictionary. An example sentences for �posh� being used as an adjective is: That shirt is very posh! The Spice Girl �Posh Spice� is another example of how this slang word can be used as an adjective. I really don�t know that much about the Spice Girls except for the fact that they were popular about a year ago so I can only assume that �Posh Spice� was the stylish and lavish one of all the Spice Girls. Some one whom I would consider a very �posh� person is Princess Diana. She was very beautiful and well liked. Whenever I see pictures of her she always has on the latest fashions and no matter what the media is saying about her whether it is about her eating disorders or her scandalous marriage and divorce, she always looked posed and confident. Diana also held a lot of grace and respect among her people, which lead me to believe that even in her death, that she is the perfect example of a very �posh� woman. Similar adjectives are the slang words � smart� and �lavish�. �Lavish� which means �to profuse in expense,�(OED) was derived in 1567, and �smart�, that is �one who affects smartness in dress, manners, and talk � was very common in the 18th century�(OED).  Example sentences are: Those drapes are very lavish; That shirt looks very smart on you. When using these compliments you would have a lot of attitude in your voice and you would raise your eyebrows into two arches an example sentence would be: Girl! That shirt looks posh! You might also have a snobby, rich voice, the voice that the Howels� had on gilligans� Island. An example of this would be the sentence: Our house is sooo posh. Also, when seeing something breath taking you may have certain awe in you voice like in the sentence: That gown looks so posh! When wanting to insult some one you would use words like �foul� and �busy� these are both opposites of �posh�. �Foul� which means  �grossly offensive to the senses�, was first heard of in 1420, and �busy� which is defined as �cheep or gaudy looking,� was originated in 1868. (OED) Example sentences are: �That shirt is to busy�; and, �that room smells foul!� I often hear my grandma use the word �busy�, because it was popular to use when she was growing up around 1870. Once she came shopping for a prom dress with my mom and I and every beaded dress we saw she didn�t like because they were to �busy�.

          I believe that the slang meaning of �posh� that I choose to try to have admitted into the Standard American Dictionary evolved from the meaning of money into having money going through many different meanings.   After the meaning of money �posh� evolved into looking smart and on guard, next it went into meaning to clean ones self-up. Also, after that the meaning turned into something high in class that finally went into the lavish and rich life style. I believe people started using the �posh� definition of money to describe their lifestyles and that is how my meaning evolved.

 
          I think that I have given enough examples and information that the slang meaning for the word �posh � should be admitted into the slang dictionary. No matter were you go and what you do or say slang is involved. Whether it is 1890 or 1980 slang words from �posh� to �busy� was and still is used.