Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
POST, n.1 Sc. usages:
1. As in Eng. in combs. and phrs.: (1) post and pan, see Pan, n.2; (2) to mak a (sad, etc.) hack in the post, see Hack, n.1, 9. (5) (Ayr., Kcb. 1966); (3) to tak a bid fae a post, of an auctioneer: to encourage the bidding by pretending to receive a non-existent bid (Bnff. 1932). Hence that's the postie biddin, of such a “bid”, with a pun on Post, n.2, 1. (Bnff. 1966).
2. In quarrying or mining: a thick layer or seam of stone, gen. sandstone or limestone (Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Mining Terms 52; Ayr. 1922 Econ. Geol. Ayr. Coalfields IV. 158), specif. applied to a particularly hard, fine-grained sandstone, usu. in comb. post-stone (Fif. 1959); the working face between main joints in a granite quarry (Abd. 1950). Also in Eng. dial. Phr. to redd a post, to work a seam out, remove all the available stone, strip it.Gsw. 1789 Burgh Rec. Gsw. (1913) 298:
To work the quarry regularly and properly and the stone to the bottom of the post.Ags. 1795 Session Papers, Arbuthnott v. Scott (11 March) 239:
The above expence is over and above that of tirring a quarry, or redding a post.Slg. 1812 P. Graham Agric. Slg. 52:
The stratum or post, as it is here called, of this quarry, is from 10 to 15 feet thick.Dmf. 1812 J. Singer Agric. Dmf. 664:
White post, with water and coal scares.Ags. 1901 W. J. Milne Reminisc. 48:
An unprofitable “post” (as sections of such quarries are called).
