first post: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, predominantly digital/online communication.
Quick answer
What does “first post” mean?
The initial message in an online discussion thread or forum topic.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The initial message in an online discussion thread or forum topic.
Can refer to the starting point of any digital conversation; sometimes used metaphorically for any inaugural contribution in a series.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties. The concept is platform-agnostic, though the platforms themselves (e.g., 'forum' vs. 'message board') may have regional naming preferences.
Connotations
Neutral. May carry mild connotations of initiation, setting the tone, or, in some communities, a desire for attention ('first post!' as an achievement).
Frequency
Equally frequent in both UK and US online spaces. Its frequency is declining with the shift from traditional forums to social media feeds where chronology is less linear.
Grammar
How to Use “first post” in a Sentence
[User] made their first post in [Forum]The first post [clarifies/asks/describes]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “first post” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No common verb form.
American English
- No common verb form.
adverb
British English
- No common adverb form.
American English
- No common adverb form.
adjective
British English
- The first-post author is often the most invested.
American English
- She had a first-post excitement that was contagious.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in internal collaboration platforms: 'Please put your proposal in the first post of the thread.'
Academic
Very rare in formal writing. Could appear in meta-discussions about online research methods or digital ethnography.
Everyday
Common in any online community, forums, Reddit, comment sections.
Technical
Standard terminology in forum software documentation and community management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “first post”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “first post”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “first post”
- Using 'first topic' instead of 'first post' (a topic contains posts).
- Writing 'first-post' as a hyphenated adjective incorrectly (e.g., 'a first-post author').
- Confusing it with 'premier post' (not used).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can refer to the initial content of any type in a thread, including an image, video, or link.
'First post' refers to the message itself. 'OP' (Original Poster) refers to the person who made that post, though it is often used metonymically to mean the first post.
It's less common, as Twitter uses 'thread' but the chronology is linear. The term is most at home in traditional, hierarchical forums.
Typically not when used as a noun phrase ('read the first post'). Hyphenation may occur when used attributively as a compound modifier ('a first-post milestone').
The initial message in an online discussion thread or forum topic.
First post is usually informal, predominantly digital/online communication. in register.
First post: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːst ˈpəʊst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɜrst ˈpoʊst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(To be) first past the post (Note: This is a different idiom from politics/sports, sometimes confused)”
- “"First post!" (a celebratory exclamation in forums)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a race where the winner gets to nail the **first** notice (**post**) on the community board.
Conceptual Metaphor
ONLINE DISCUSSION IS A JOURNEY / THE FIRST POST IS THE STARTING POINT.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'OP' commonly stand for in online forums?