Posse

The Unusual Evolutionary Changes of Posse’s Usage Patrick Somers

The word, posse, is especially interesting for having a wide range of definitions. In this paper I will examine the origin and meaning behind these various definitions of this word and how they are related to groups. While the word, posse, does have numerous definitions, its definitions can be categorized into two main subgroups. The first subgroup that can be made of “posse” stems from classical Latin. Contrasting from another classical Latin word, esse, which means “in actual existence”, posse means “the state of being possible” or to be able to have power (Posse, definition 4). Something that has the power or potentiality to become can be referred to as posse but something that has already come into existence can be referred to as esse. For example, the fetus of an unborn baby can be referred to as posse. It has the potential to be born into existence but has not yet. Conversely a newborn baby can be referred to as esse for it has already come into existence. This definition is evidenced through, sixteenth century, English playwright, Robert Greene’s words. Saying “it is hard to bring the posse into esse”, Greene infers that posse is strictly limited to potentiality and its usage should not suggest that it is anything easily attainable (Posse, definition 4).

While this original definition still holds meaning today, its definition had evolved to an entirely different meaning. Rather than its abstract meaning of expressing something as possible, its evolved usages of the word defines something concrete. The evolved usages of posse, though differentiated by various distinctions, are consistent in referring to posse as a type of group.

One of these definitions describes posse as “the body of men in a county whom the sheriff could summon to enforce the law” (Posse, definition 3). This usage roots from the Latin phrase posse comitatus, which literally means “the ability of a county to have power”. Over time the ending was dropped, leaving “posse” to itself. Now, posse comitatus is synonymous with posse and the two can be used interchangeably.

In American history, posses (as in posse comitatus) were comprised of able-bodied men typically over the age of thirteen. When a sheriff found that he was unsuited to enforce the law alone, he would arrange for the county’s posse to convene and help enforce the law. Often the men in a posse would be sent out by horse to assist in helping hunt down criminals. These posses even sought to kill criminals as dangerous and nationally wanted as the notorious Jesse James. Posses were most prominent in nineteenth century America but continued to exist throughout much of the early decades of the twentieth century. And, while the film industry often depicted these posses in the “Wild West”, posses existed across all of rural America (Posse, definition 5). Today, this type of posse no longer exists since sheriffs have stopped looking for assistance from their county men. Instead, more centralized groups are used as a means to find outlaws. Groups such as The FBI are now in charge of the search for criminals.

In American culture, the usage of posse has evolved to mean a gang. Oxford English Dictionary suggests that the origin of this definition of posse is rooted from Jamaican criminal slang. In 1986 the Daily Gleaner of Kingston Jamaica identified gangs in Jamaica as the “Shower Posse” and the “Spangler Posse” (Posse, definition 4). While the evidence suggests that this meaning of posse originated in Jamaica, this usage is certainly prevalent in American culture. Many American gangs refer to themselves as posses including “The Inner City Posse”. This gang was neither large nor lasting, but because of its fame, it was influential in spreading the usage of posse as a gang.

Posse also has adapted many slang meanings in American culture. In most cases posse simply is slang for “one’s own circle of friends” (Posse, definition 1). This type of posse does not need to have any malicious intent like more formal definitions often suggest. It, instead, is closely synonymous with “friends” or “buddies”. However, using the word, posse, suggests that it is more of a clique than it is simply a group of friends. When using the word, posse, there is an assumption that the group moves as a unit and is a very close-knit group founded on brotherhood and loyalty. A rather unusual and unexpected slang definition has been used in American society. According to Greene’s Dictionary of Slang, posse is used by some Americans when referring to themselves in the third person (Posse definition 2). For example people may say, “the posse is leaving” when only they individually are leaving. This evolutionary change of the usage is very unnatural because it takes away the entire group dynamic that the word offers. While there is no offered explanation for this change, it likely could have changed from the heightened egotisms of many Americans. When Americans are comparing themselves to a group, they may feel like they share the same qualities that groups have. This may allow them to express an image of power and importance.

While many definitions of posse have very specific defining characteristics, The New Oxford American Dictionary marks that posse can actually refer to any group of people that share common occupations, goals, or purposes. (Posse, definition 3). The New Oxford American Dictionary does make note that posses are typically synonymous with gangs, but it explains that even groups without hostile intent can be characterized as posses (Posse, definition 3). Also, another dictionary states that posses are not limited to just people, but posses can extend to even animals so long as they still share common characteristics, goals, or purposes (Posse, definition 4).

Time has allowed posse to develop a wide spectrum of definitions ranging from abstract definitions to concrete definitions and ranging from formal usages to slang usages. While there are a few exceptions, most of the definitions of the word posse that I provided offer a group element. Posses of county men enforcing the law, as gangs, and as groups of friends are all examples of posses as groups. In all three cases, people form posses for protection and comfort. Groups of county men form to protect themselves and their families from any harm discomfort or harm. With these groups, their families would be able to sleep at night knowing that they were safe from dangerous outlaws. In violent parts of the world, gangs form to protect themselves from threats of criminals. Joining a gang, members would know that they would earn instant brotherhood that would protect them from any threat. Posses in the sense of a group of friends are no different in that they are created for comfort. Acquiring a group of friends, people find comfort in having someone to trust and someone that they can share their feelings to. Whichever definition, it seems natural for people to want to form posses.

Works Cited: Greene, J. (2010). Posse [Def. 1]. In Greene's Dictionary of Slang (Vol. 3, p. 284). London: Chambers Harrap.

Greene, J. (2010). Posse [Def. 2]. In Greene's Dictionary of Slang (Vol. 3, p. 284). London: Chambers Harrap. Posse. (2001). Posse [Def. 3]. In The New Oxford American Dictionary (p. 1332). New York: Oxford University Press.

Posse. (2006, December).[Def. 4] In Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved from[] <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,non-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 2em;">William Collins and Sons. (1988). Posse [Def. 5]. In Collins Cobuild English Language Dictionary (p. 1117). Wrotham: CR Barber & Partners.