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erik19283
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 144
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 Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:14 am Post subject: Mailman and Postman |
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Hello,
What's the difference between a mailman and a postman?
When I checked "postman" in my dictionary I was sent to mailman, so I'm wondering if they are used by anyone similarly or if it depends on where you live (for example, USA vs UK). |
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asterix
Joined: 26 Jan 2003
Posts: 1654
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| Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:30 am Post subject: |
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| Postman in UK. Mailman in USA, I think. |
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Lorikeet
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1877
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 10:08 am Post subject: |
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| asterix wrote: |
| Postman in UK. Mailman in USA, I think. |
In the US, "mail carrier" is commonly used, although "postal carrier" and "letter carrier" are also used instead of "mailman" because there are many women who also deliver the mail. "Postal carrier" doesn't seem to be used much in conversation. Here are some examples I found for fun from the US Postal Service website:
"mail carrier" and "letter carrier"
http://www.usps.com/postalhistory/women_who_carried_the_mail.htm
"postal carrier"
http://www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/2006/sr06_001.htm
("Postal Service spokesperson, Vonzell Solomon, a former postal carrier and "American Idol" finalist, was also part of today's ceremony." |
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erik19283
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 144
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| Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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| asterix wrote: |
| Postman in UK. Mailman in USA, I think. |
That's what I thought, but then I remembered the movie with Kevin Costner, "The Postman". The movie was set in the US and more or less about the US postal service, so I thought Americans might be using both words indiscriminately. Do they? |
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Philo Kevetch
Joined: 01 Feb 2006
Posts: 564
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| Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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Hello Erik - If I may add my 2 cents (tuppence)
Asterix is correct - B.E. -> postman A.E. -> mailman
Generally, (as far as I know?) the terms are not used 'indiscriminately' in the U.S.
I think they chose 'Postman' for the film (movie) title to make a reference to colonial America. (circa. 1775)
There is another Hollywood film, released in 1946, titled "The Postman Always Rings Twice", based on a novel by J.M. Cain.
In my opinion, the choice of 'postman' here, is for entirely different reasons based on American cultural history.
Mr. Cain was born in 1892 in "old money" Annapolis, Maryland. A British accent and usage would have been the 'hallmark' of the 'upper class'.
Even as late as the 1930 and early 1940s', many Hollywood films featured actors/actresses with British accents as a mark of class.
Sometime after WWII, things changed and even Carry Grant had to adopt an American accent in the 1950s'..... |
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erik19283
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 144
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| Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 12:35 am Post subject: |
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| Thank you very much to every one who took time to asnwer my questions. It is very much appreciated. |
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