Just realized that the Royal Mail delivers the post, whereas the US Postal Service delivers the mail.

Reply to Just realized that the Royal Mail delivers the post, whereas the US Postal Service delivers the mail. on Tue, 18 Aug 2026 05:53:14 GMT

mackaj@mastodon.me.uk — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 05:53:14 GMT

As a fellow Brit, that matches my understanding perfectly

Reply to Just realized that the Royal Mail delivers the post, whereas the US Postal Service delivers the mail. on Tue, 18 Aug 2026 03:29:46 GMT

jimmylittle@hachyderm.io — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 03:29:46 GMT

@byorgey @michaelgemar In this very rare case, the US English is the right one.

It’s called the “postal service” because mail used to be relayed between “posts” - named after the Latin word for stations along a fixed path. So posts became post offices and the whole operation became the Postal Service.

I think it’s kinda weird to call a piece of mail a “post”, but that’s just me following etymology and stuff.

Reply to Just realized that the Royal Mail delivers the post, whereas the US Postal Service delivers the mail. on Tue, 18 Aug 2026 03:09:17 GMT

qurlyjoe@mstdn.social — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 03:09:17 GMT

@byorgey
Probably Ben Franklin’s fault. He was the one who created the first US mail system.

Reply to Just realized that the Royal Mail delivers the post, whereas the US Postal Service delivers the mail. on Tue, 18 Aug 2026 02:28:57 GMT

nxskok@cupoftea.social — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 02:28:57 GMT

@christopherbrown @byorgey postal codes.

Reply to Just realized that the Royal Mail delivers the post, whereas the US Postal Service delivers the mail. on Tue, 18 Aug 2026 02:27:23 GMT

christopherbrown@mastodon.social — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 02:27:23 GMT

@nxskok @byorgey In the interest of further muddying the waters, does Canada have ZIP Codes or Post Codes?

Reply to Just realized that the Royal Mail delivers the post, whereas the US Postal Service delivers the mail. on Tue, 18 Aug 2026 02:24:54 GMT

nxskok@cupoftea.social — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 02:24:54 GMT

@byorgey also, Canada Post delivers the mail.

Reply to Just realized that the Royal Mail delivers the post, whereas the US Postal Service delivers the mail. on Tue, 18 Aug 2026 02:09:04 GMT

timsk@mastodon.social — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 02:09:04 GMT

@byorgey next we'll be parking on driveways, and driving on parkways, and then where will we be, eh?

Reply to Just realized that the Royal Mail delivers the post, whereas the US Postal Service delivers the mail. on Mon, 17 Aug 2026 21:57:34 GMT

seabass@social.seabass.systems — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 21:57:34 GMT

@byorgey I resolutely stick to what I believe is the most etymologically sound usage: Royal Mail is a postal service which delivers the mail. Post meaning the system by which the delivery is made, and mail being the object which is being delivered.

I think I might be in the minority of British people with this view though