The term “going postal” is a phrase used to describe a person who becomes extremely angry and violent, often in a workplace setting. While the phrase is commonly used nowadays, most people don’t know where it came from. In this article, we will explore the origins of the term going postal and how it became a part of our cultural lexicon.
Origins of the Term
The term going postal is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 1990s. It was first used to describe a series of incidents in which postal workers went on shooting rampages in their workplaces. The first known incident occurred on August 20, 1986, when a postal worker named Patrick Sherrill killed 14 people at a post office in Edmond, Oklahoma, before taking his own life.
After the Edmond shooting, more incidents occurred at post offices around the country. These incidents led to the coining of the term going postal, which quickly became a part of the American lexicon. The term was used to describe any situation in which a person became extremely angry and violent, often in a workplace setting.
The Psychology Behind the Term
The term going postal became popular because it touches on a very real fear that many people have: the fear of violence in the workplace. The idea that a seemingly normal person could suddenly snap and become violent is frightening, and the incidents that led to the coining of the term were particularly disturbing.
Psychologists have studied the phenomenon of workplace violence, and their research has shown that there are certain risk factors that can increase the likelihood of violent behavior. These risk factors include job dissatisfaction, a history of violence, and access to weapons.
The Aftermath of the Term
The term going postal has become a part of our cultural lexicon, and it is often used to describe any situation in which a person becomes extremely angry and violent. However, it is important to remember that the term was originally coined to describe a very specific set of incidents. These incidents were tragic and had a profound impact on the families of the victims, as well as the communities where they occurred.
Since the coining of the term going postal, there have been efforts to reduce the risk of workplace violence. Many companies have implemented policies to identify and address potential risk factors, and there are also laws in place to prevent people with a history of violent behavior from obtaining firearms.
Conclusion
The term going postal is a part of our cultural lexicon, but it has a very specific origin. The incidents that led to the coining of the term were tragic and had a profound impact on the families of the victims, as well as the communities where they occurred. While the term is often used to describe any situation in which a person becomes extremely angry and violent, it is important to remember its origins and the real risk of workplace violence.