Going postal

Going Postal

"Going postal" is an American English slang phrase referring to becoming extremely and uncontrollably angry, often to the point of violence, and usually in a workplace environment. The term originated in the United States in the late 20th century and is associated with a series of incidents involving postal workers.

Origin

The phrase "going postal" originated from a series of workplace shootings by postal workers in the United States. The first widely publicized incident occurred on August 20, 1986, in Edmond, Oklahoma, when postal worker Patrick Sherrill shot and killed 14 coworkers and wounded six others before committing suicide. This tragic event was one of several similar incidents involving postal employees, leading to the coining of the term.

Usage

The term "going postal" is used colloquially to describe someone who is exhibiting extreme anger or losing control, particularly in a work setting. It is often used in a hyperbolic sense to describe someone who is very upset or frustrated, even if they are not actually violent.

Cultural Impact

The phrase "going postal" has permeated popular culture and is often referenced in media, literature, and film. It reflects societal concerns about workplace stress, mental health, and the potential for violence in professional settings.

Criticism

The use of the term "going postal" has been criticized for its insensitivity to the victims of the incidents that inspired it and for perpetuating negative stereotypes about postal workers. Critics argue that it trivializes serious issues such as workplace violence and mental health.

Related Incidents

Several incidents have contributed to the association of postal workers with workplace violence:

• Royal Oak Post Office Shooting (1991): On November 14, 1991, Thomas McIlvane, a former postal worker, killed four people and wounded five others at a post office in Royal Oak, Michigan, before taking his own life.
• Goleta Postal Facility Shooting (2006): On January 30, 2006, former postal employee Jennifer San Marco killed six people at a postal facility in Goleta, California, before committing suicide.

Also see

• Workplace violence
• Mental health
• Occupational stress
• Mass shootings in the United States