1867. Collins, The Public Schools, 61. 'Winchester.' Two posers (or at one time supervisors) arrive at the college, where they are received with a Latin oration 'ad portas' by the senior scholar.
1872. C. D. Warner, Backlog Studies, 161. 'What do you think women are good for?' 'That's a poser!'
Posh, subs. (thieves').—1. Money:
generic, but specifically, a halfpenny
or other small coin: see
Rhino.
1888. Page's Eavesdropper, ii. ii. They used such funny terms: 'brads,' and 'dibbs,' and 'mopusses,' and 'posh' . . . at last it was borne in upon me that they were talking about money.
1891. Ally Sloper's Half Holiday, 4 April. I am authorized by the executive council . . . to send you an invitation . . . to take care of the posh.
1893. Emerson, Lippo, xx. She'd always get some posh from them.
2. (society).—A dandy.
Posse Mobilitatis, subs. phr.
(old).—The mob.—Grose (1785).
Possess, verb. (conventional).—To
have (q.v.): see Greens
and Ride.
1620. Massinger and Field, Fatal Dowry, iii. 1. To set down to a lady of my rank Limits of entertainment? Rom. Sure a legion Has possest this woman!
c.1707. Old Ballad, 'Wooburn Fair' [Farmer, Merry Songs and Ballads (1897), 1 S. iv. 179]. And tho' I let Loobies Oft finger my Bubbies: Who think when they kiss me, That they shall possess me.
1749. Smollett, Gil Blas [Routledge], 209. The four cut-throats all avowed a like desire of possessing the female who had fallen into their hands; and they were proposing to draw lots for her.
Possible, adv. (old).—See quot.
1823. Egan, Dict. Turf, s.v. High-tide. plenty of the possibles; whilst 'low-water' implies empty clies.
Possum, verb. (American).—See
quots.: also to play possum.
1828. Flint, Geog. of the Mississippi Valley. As one who counterfeits sickness, or dissembles strongly for a particular purpose, is said to be possuming.
1855. Haliburton, Human Nature, 14. I will play possum with these folks, and take a rise out of them that will astonish their weak nerves.
1877. Bartlett, Americanisms, s.v. Possum. The expression alludes to the habit of the opossum, which throws itself on its back, and feigns death on the approach of an enemy.
1886. Scribner's Mag., Jan., 436. It's almost time for Babe to quit playing possum.
Possom-guts, subs. phr. (colonial).—A
term of reproach.
1859. H. Kingsley, Geof. Hamlyn [S. J. & C.]. I'll teach you to whistle when a gentleman comes into the hut, you possum-guts.
Post, subs. (old: now recognised
or colloquial).—1. 'Employment,
Office, Station; also an advanced
or advantageous piece of ground:
a Pillar in the Way or Street.'—B.
E. (c.1696).
2. (venery).—An act of coition.
Verb. (University).—1. To reject: to pluck (q.v.): also as subs. At Eton = to put down for bad work in 'Collections': the penalty is a holiday-pœna or a swishing.
1855. Bristed, Eng. Univ., 74. Should a man be posted twice in succession, he is generally recommended to try the air of some other college, or devote his energies to some other walk of life.
2. (common).—To publish: by exposing a list of nominations or defaulters: spec. (Univ.) to publish a list of those in debt for College rations; and (3) to hold up to ridicule or contempt, as (see quot. 1882) a coward. Whence, to post up (or be well posted) = to keep one (or be) well informed.
