30 NOVEMBER 2002, Page 45

Posh theory

From Mr W.J. Kelly Sir: I was interested to read about the origins of the word 'posh' (Mind your language, 16 November), My understanding has always been that it did relate to passenger tickets on the voyage to and from India. The point was, however, that you were posh because you could afford to pay extra for a cabin on the cool side of the ship away from the heat of the tropical sunshine: i.e., the port side going out and the starboard side coming home, or Port Out Starboard Home.

It is this fact which explains and gives the reason for describing people with money as being posh.

W.J. Kelly

Preston, Lancashire