post, v.² — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

post v.²

[? posting accounts in a ledger or nailing announcements to a post]

(orig. US) to inform; usu. as posted adj.¹

1865		Leaves from Diary of Celebrated Burglar 39/2: Jemmy left. Tommy promising to post him if anything was up between Joe and the ‘moll’.
1874		‘A.P.’ [Arthur Pember] Mysteries and Miseries 59: [H]aving been posted by the detective in panel-house slang, we threw ourselves on the lounge [...] and opened a desultory conversation with our host.
1887		G. Devol Forty Years a Gambler 129: I had posted him to keep away from me.

post up (v.)

1. (US) to supply with the latest information, to learn the latest news; usu. as posted up at posted adj.¹

1899		Ellensburg Dawn (PA) 15 Sept. 1/4: Post up bettr in affairs of government, before giucing [the people] power to vote on laws.
1902		Kansas State Hist. Society Transcripts VII 427: I thought you would like something fresh to read and post up on what is going on in the country [DA].
1916		Day Book (Chicago) 28 Feb. 23/2: ‘You had better post up before you work asa reformer’.

2. (US black) to frequent a popular meeting-place with one’s friends.

1998		M. Ferguson ‘Unstoppable Sl.’ in Columbia Missourian 19 Oct. 1A; 8A: posting up – hanging out.
2000		Ebonics Primer at www.dolemite.com 🌐 post-up Definition: to stand in a spot with a group of your boys, and hollar at girls, slang, etc. Example: Let’s hit the corner and post-up.
2016		Skepta ‘Crime Riddim’ 🎵 I got my drink, I posted up in the darkest corner.

post a flyer (v.)

(gay) to advertise one’s sexual availability.

1972		B. Rodgers Queens’ Vernacular.
1986–7		Maledicta IX 144: The effeminate ones (working girls) may drop a hairpin in conversation or otherwise advertise availability; this is called posting flyers.

post bills (v.) [pun on SE]

(US Und.) to pass counterfeit money; thus bill-poster n., a forger, a counterfeiter, a passer of bad cheques.

1935		A.J. Pollock Und. Speaks.
1936		H. Corey Farewell, Mr Gangster! 277: Bill poster – passer of counterfeit money.
1949		Monteleone Criminal Sl. (rev. edn).
1950		Goldin et al. DAUL 27/2: Bill-poster. A writer and passer of forged checks.