Posted - where does the term come from

[propersplitbrainme]

Earlier today I was examining my grandfathers military history docs I just obtained from Glasgow with a newly discovered cousin (long story - family history research reveals some interesting stuff) who shares the same grandfather.
Without my help such terms as 'wef' meant nothing at all to her so I had to keep explaining that the military loves its acronyms, or TLAs. Then we came to POSTED.

Why 'posted' she asks.

Er, because, er. Dunno, never really thought of it before, it just means sent from one unit to another.

Anyone any ideas as to the origin?

Is it because you take up a post? Or because your documents had to follow you and were literally posted through the mail? Or because your new appointment was promulgated (or posted) in some orders somewhere?

 

[justintime129]

Earlier today I was examining my grandfathers military history docs I just obtained from Glasgow with a newly discovered cousin (long story - family history research reveals some interesting stuff) who shares the same grandfather.
Without my help such terms as 'wef' meant nothing at all to her so I had to keep explaining that the military loves its acronyms, or TLAs. Then we came to POSTED.

Why 'posted' she asks.

Er, because, er. Dunno, never really thought of it before, it just means sent from one unit to another.

Anyone any ideas as to the origin?

Is it because you take up a post? Or because your documents had to follow you and were literally posted through the mail? Or because your new appointment was promulgated (or posted) in some orders somewhere?

Could it be before the days of computers you normally were told by your boss and then you saw it in the next SROS. Could it be that I was posted there.

How many times did we use posted and just never thought about where it came from.

You arrive at the main gate. I've just been posted in you'd say.

You say to your mates I've just been post to RAF such and such.

Was there any other word to use.

 

[PingDit]

Post: A position of duty, employment, or trust to which one is assigned or appointed
hence 'posted' to a post.

 

[Rigga]

Actually the term comes from your name being appended to a movements list which was then 'posted' on to a notice board...hence 'you've been posted' or 'your name has been posted and the list says you're going to...'

Those of us that know of times before computers would indeed remember paper versions of SROs mounted on such Boards. and may also remember some unfortunate souls who first heard of their postings in this way.

Confusingly, "Post" refers to a position within a unit manning a lookout or sentry 'Post', or the like.

Hope this helps
Rigga

 

[Malesu]

Suppose it also goes further back to when wanted signs etc. were stuck onto POSTS in the ground.. Ie getting posted. Or man your post... Stay still and don't move until told to do so.

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