mailman
High in American English; low in British English.Informal to neutral; standard in American English.
Definition
Meaning
A person employed to deliver mail to homes and businesses.
A worker in the postal service responsible for the collection and delivery of letters and parcels.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Traditionally male-gendered; gender-neutral terms like 'mail carrier' are increasingly preferred in modern usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'postman' is the standard term; 'mailman' is primarily American and rarely used in the UK.
Connotations
'Mailman' evokes a familiar, everyday figure in the US, while 'postman' has similar connotations but is the norm in the UK.
Frequency
'Mailman' is common in American English but very rare in British English, where 'postman' dominates.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[determiner] mailmanmailman of [place]mailman for [area]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In postal service contexts, 'mail carrier' or 'delivery personnel' are more formal terms.
Academic
Rarely used; 'postal worker' is preferred in sociological or economic studies.
Everyday
Common in American English for the person who delivers mail to residences.
Technical
In logistics and postal systems, terms like 'delivery agent' or 'postal operative' are often used.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The mailman brings our mail every morning.
- I see the mailman on my street.
- Our mailman always waves hello when he delivers packages.
- If the mailman is late, we might miss important letters.
- Despite the heavy rain, the mailman completed his route on time.
- The mailman who serves our neighbourhood has been working for over ten years.
- The role of the mailman has evolved with the increase in online shopping and parcel delivery.
- Critics argue that the mailman's efficiency is impacted by privatization of postal services.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'mail' + 'man' – a man who delivers mail.
Conceptual Metaphor
The mailman as a symbol of consistency, reliability, and public service.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Using 'mailman' in British English contexts where 'postman' is correct.
- Assuming 'mailman' is gender-neutral without considering alternatives like 'mail carrier'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'mailman' in formal writing without opting for 'mail carrier'.
- Using 'mailman' interchangeably in British and American English without awareness of regional preferences.
Practice
Quiz
Which term is primarily used in British English for a person who delivers mail?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'mailman' is primarily an American English term. In British English, 'postman' is the standard word.
'Mail carrier' or 'postal worker' are gender-neutral terms that are increasingly preferred.
No, 'mailman' is a noun and is not standardly used as a verb. The verb form would be 'to deliver mail' or 'to work as a mailman'.
In American English, 'mailman' is pronounced as /ˈmeɪlˌmæn/, with primary stress on the first syllable and secondary stress on the second.
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