The phrase "going postal" has become a widely recognized idiom in American English, often used to describe someone becoming extremely angry and potentially violent, especially in a workplace setting. This colloquialism did not emerge in a vacuum; it is directly linked to a series of tragic incidents involving violence perpetrated by postal workers, with the 1986 Edmond post office shooting being a pivotal event in its origin. The phrase encapsulates
a period of heightened concern over workplace violence and the specific context of the U.S. Postal Service.
The Edmond Shooting and Its Role
On August 20, 1986, the Edmond post office in Oklahoma became the site of the deadliest workplace shooting in U.S. history. Patrick Sherrill, a 44-year-old postal worker, killed 14 coworkers and injured six others before committing suicide. This horrific event, occurring in less than fifteen minutes, sent shockwaves across the nation. Sherrill's motive was revenge, stemming from recent reprimands by his supervisors. This incident, characterized by a disgruntled employee's violent outburst, was a significant factor in the public's association of postal workers with extreme workplace stress and potential violence.
The Edmond shooting was not an isolated event, but it was particularly impactful due to its scale. It contributed to a growing perception that the U.S. Postal Service was a hotbed for such incidents. The term "going postal" began to appear in media and public discourse, reflecting a societal attempt to categorize and understand these disturbing occurrences. The phrase quickly gained traction, becoming a shorthand for workplace rage that escalates to violence.
The Phrase Enters the Lexicon
An early documented use of the phrase "going postal" appeared on December 17, 1993, in the *St. Petersburg Times*. The newspaper reported on a symposium sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service, noting that "in some circles excessive stress is known as 'going postal.'" The article highlighted that 35 people had been killed in 11 post office shootings since 1983, underscoring the pattern of violence that gave rise to the idiom. Later that month, on December 31, 1993, the *Los Angeles Times* also referenced the new term, stating that "more deadly mass shootings around the nation... have lent a new term to the language, referring to shooting up the office as 'going postal.'"
Despite the U.S. Postal Service's disapproval of the term and its efforts to discourage its use, the phrase had already cemented its place in American vernacular. Some postal workers themselves felt the term had earned its place, suggesting a recognition of the intense pressures within the organization. The phrase became a cultural touchstone, reflecting a broader societal anxiety about workplace conditions and the potential for violence when employees feel pushed to their limits.
Addressing Workplace Violence in the Postal Service
In response to the series of shootings, including two on the same day in May 1993, the USPS took steps to address violence prevention and workplace improvement. In 1993, the organization created 85 Workplace Environment Analyst positions, one for each of its postal districts. These roles were specifically designed to help mitigate violence and foster better working conditions. However, in February 2009, as part of downsizing efforts, the USPS unilaterally eliminated these positions.
In 1998, the United States Congress conducted a joint hearing to review violence within the U.S. Postal Service. It was noted that while the postal service accounted for less than 1% of the full-time civilian labor force, a disproportionate 13% of workplace homicides were committed at postal facilities by current or former employees. This statistic, though later challenged by research suggesting lower homicide rates for postal workers compared to other industries, solidified the public's association of the postal service with workplace violence and reinforced the cultural impact of the phrase "going postal."
