but in reading older works, particularly dialogue in older works, they are scarce

In older works the difference between spoken and written language my have been bigger. But yes, if I read: "Give it up for Bob" I wouldn't know what it means. But in the context of a meeting and in spoken language I would understand.

Prepositions are the trickiest thing in foreign languages. I will always be marked a foreigner by little mistakes in that field. Just as we can find out foreigners, even those who speak the language very well and have lived here for decades by those tiny two- or three letter words.