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josh - 5 dictionary results

josh

  [josh]
Use josh in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
1. to chaff; banter in a teasing way.
–noun
2. good-natured banter.
Origin:
1835–45, Americanism; of obscure orig.

Related forms:
josher, noun

Josh

  [josh]
–noun
a male given name, form of Joshua.

Josh.

 
Joshua.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To josh
josh   (jŏsh)   
v.   joshed, josh·ing, josh·es

v.   tr.
To tease (someone) good-humoredly.
v.   intr.
To make or exchange good-humored jokes; banter. See Synonyms at banter.
n.  A teasing or joking remark.

[Origin unknown.]
josh'er n., josh'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

josh 
1845, Amer.Eng., probably from the familiar version of the proper name 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 "John Billings," pseudonym of Henry Wheeler Shaw (1818-85), 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"]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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