josh
[josh]
- to chaff; banter in a teasing way.
Show More
- good-natured banter.
Show More
Origin of josh
An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; of obscure origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for joshing
Historical Examples
If you had, I'd probably have told it around and you'd have got a lot of joshing.
Left End EdwardsRalph Henry Barbour
Those there fellows he's joshing have been with him seven years.
Still JimHonor Willsie Morrow
I'm just joshing the weakness of the lemonade the Associations give us.
Stanford StoriesCharles K. Field
"Now there's a woman's thinking for you," he chided her fondly, joshing her a little.
Eight Keys to EdenMark Irvin Clifton
"One might almost think that he was joshing me," said Bateman, flushing.
The Trembling of a LeafWilliam Somerset Maugham
josh
- to tease (someone) in a bantering way
Show More
- a teasing or bantering joke
Show More
Word Origin
C19: perhaps from joke, influenced by bosh 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for joshing
josh
v.
"to make fun of, to banter," 1845, American English, 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 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.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper