poster English · revision 6914

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1838}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈpoʊstɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from the verb [[post]], to fasten up a notice, and [[-er]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A large printed notice or placard put up in a public place: 1838, in Dickens's ''Nicholas Nickleby''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) MWU dates it to 1818.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A person who posts bills is from 1864.^(OED 1989) A decorative printed picture for a wall followed in the 20th century.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) ''Poster boy'' or ''poster child'', someone made prominent in a cause, is by 1990, after charity drives featuring child sufferers since the 1930s.^(Etymonline) An earlier, unrelated poster (about 1600) was one who travels post, a swift traveller, from post, to travel with relays of horses.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1605 – one who travels post.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1818 – first use (MWU).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1838 – a placard.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1864 – a bill-poster.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1990 – poster child.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A large printed picture or notice put up for [[advertising]] or decoration.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person who posts a message on the [[Internet]].^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[billposter]]

+ * [[poster paint]]

+ * [[poster boy]]

+ * [[poster child]]

+ * [[poster color]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[post]]

+ * [[placard]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}