josh

josh
josh (v.) "to make fun of, to banter," 1845, American English, probably from the familiar version of the proper name JOSHUA (Cf. Joshua), but just which Joshua, or why, is long forgotten. Perhaps it was taken as a typical name of an old farmer. The word was in use earlier than the career of U.S. humorist Josh Billings, pseudonym of Henry Wheeler Shaw (1818-1885), who did not begin to write and lecture until 1860; but his popularity after 1869 may have influence that of the word.
About the most originality that any writer can hope to achieve honestly is to steal with good judgment. ["Josh Billings"]
Related: Joshed; joshing.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • josh´er — josh «josh», verb, noun. U.S. Informal. –v.t., v.i. to make good natured fun of; tease playfully; banter: »You re only joshing me (Bret Harte). –n. good natured banter. ╂[American English, perhaps < Josh, nickname for Joshua] –josh´er …   Useful english dictionary

  • josh — josh·er; josh·ua; josh; …   English syllables

  • Josh|u|a — «JOSH u uh», noun. 1. the successor of Moses, who led the children of Israel into the Promised Land (in the Bible). 2. a book of the Old Testament. Abbr: Josh …   Useful english dictionary

  • josh — [dʒɔʃ US dʒa:ʃ] v [I and T] old fashioned to talk to someone or laugh at them in a gentle joking way ▪ The guys josh him and call him an egghead …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Josh — /josh/, n. a male given name, form of Joshua. * * * …   Universalium

  • Josh — m English: short form of JOSHUA (SEE Joshua), occasionally used as an independent given name …   First names dictionary

  • josh — [ dʒaʃ ] verb intransitive AMERICAN INFORMAL to make jokes …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • josh — vb *banter, chaff, kid, rag, rib, jolly …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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