Perhaps the most popular myth about the origin of the word "posh" is that it is an acronym for "port out, starboard home." According to (phrases.org.uk) the myth goes that Peninsula and Orient passenger vessels used to allocate the more affluent passengers the cabins on the port side of the ship when departing and the cabins on the starboard side of the ship when making the return journey. This was done because the port side offered more shade and a cooler breeze on the way out and conversely the starboard side did the same on the return journey. It is rumoured that the affluent passengers' luggage was marked "PO" and "SH" and consequently the word "posh" came into existence to describe the upper more affluent class.
However this origin of the word is discredited by (Oxforddictionaries.com) and is relegated to nothing but a myth. The reasons given are that the merger of words to make one word with the use of each words beginning letter (acronyms) is an occurrence that only emerged in the 20th century. In fact the word "posh" is grouped with other ludicrous meanings such as "golf" standing for "gentleman only, ladies forbidden" and "cop" standing for "constable on patrol." These are all dismissed as myths for these words were in existence decades before the trend of acronyms emerged. Researches are challenged to find any acronyms before the 1920s. It further goes on to point out that had the word been an acronym it would be spelt "P.O.S.H" as is convention for acronyms and abbreviations.
Perhaps a more plausible myth is that the word is derived from the Gypsy language of Romany. (worldwidewords) accredits the word "posh" to have meant half in the language but it later evolved to posh-houri which meant half a pence. The word than further evolved into slang terminology to describe money in general. It then progressed to meaning expensive, fancy or someone affluent or someone living an affluent lifestyle.
The origin of the word posh remains an uncertainty with the port out, starboard home myth proving to be the most dominant.
Welfare in Botswana
- The official retirement age in Botswana is 60 years.
- The amount paid to old age pensioners is believed to be roughly P300 (Pula) a week which is equivalent to £30.
- An unemployment allowance is afforded to the unemployed ( those who have no jobs but are actively seeking employment and have searched for employment within the past 4weeks) whereas disgruntled workers (those who have given up searching for a job and are unemployed) are afforded no allowance.
- The following benefits exist in Botswana:
- Housing benefits
- Sickness benefits
- Death Grants
- Education grants
- Maternity grants are only awarded to the most needy.
5. Social workers exist in Botswana and are mostly regarded in a bad light. They come off as intrusive and invading family privacy.
6. SOS, UNICEF and Children with HIV foundation are some of the charities operating in Botswana. They all collect money through donations.
7. The Citizen's Entrepreneurial Development Agency can be compared to the Citizen's Advice Bureau as they provide advice on a multitude of topics such as reducing debt, how to start a business and a host of other topics aimed at empowering citizens.
8. Health care is provided free of charge at government health care facilities. However the facilities do not adequately cater for demand and often critical or serious cases are left unattended for extended periods sometimes with fatal consequences.
9. Family doctors are well paid in Botswana. They earn an average of P75 000, an equivalent of roughly £7 500.
10. A typical nurse's uniform in Botswana constitutes a white hat (usually with a cross insignia on it) and a white or blue dress similar to the ones usually portrayed in movies.
11. 999
12. Herbal remedies and traditional doctors (stereotyped as being witchcraft in modern times) are the popular alternatives to medicine in Botswana.
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