Are you afraid that a sullen, disgruntled, coworker is about to do something violent? You could say that you’re scared he is “going postal.”
This post explores what the phrase means, where it comes from, and how to use it in a sentence.
Meaning
The American expression “going postal” means that someone is about to embark on a spree of violence. “Going postal” usually refers to angry (former) employees who commit acts of mass violence — typically using firearms — at work.
You can conjugate the verb “to be” in any relevant way; besides “going postal,” you can also say:
- About to go postal.
- Went postal.
- Has gone postal.
Example Usage
These example sentences show how you can use the phrase “going postal” in a sentence:
- “Mike has been depressed and demotivated for months now, and did you see the way he looked at the boss yesterday? You don’t think he’s going postal, do you?”
- “If you’re genuinely afraid that the employee you are about to fire will go postal, it’s best to hire a security expert before breaking the news.”
- “Don’t think only postal workers go postal — they might have started the trend, but workplace violence occurs across industries.”
Origin
The expression “going postal,” which refers to incidents of mass violence in the workplace, refers to a string of mass shootings disgruntled US postal workers committed.
The first of these incidents took place in 1986, when an Oklahoma postal worker fatally shot 14 coworkers and wounded six more. Following this first mass shooting, more than 20 further acts of mass workplace violence unfolded between 1986 and 1997.
Violence often takes place in clusters; previous acts inspire future crimes. Postal workers committed so many mass shootings that work-related rage came to be referred to as “going postal.”
The first reference to this phrase dates back to 1993, when Karl Vick used the expression in a St. Petersburg Times article:
“The symposium was sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service, which has seen so many outbursts that in some circles excessive stress is known as ‘going postal…”
The expression lives on, but the string of mass shootings committed by postal workers has now largely been forgotten. “Going postal” is no longer reserved just for USPS employees.
While the expression most often refers to work-related mass shootings, you can use “going postal” to talk about any employee who has done, or might do, something violent at work.
“Going postal” can even refer to acts of violence, in which someone “simply snaps,” outside of the workplace. It would be correct to say that you think a student “may go postal one day,” for example.
Phrases Similar to Going Postal
Are you looking for other ways to talk about a sudden burst of violence? Try these expressions:
- Run amok.
- Raise hell.
- Run riot.
- Just snapped.
- Go on a rampage.
Phrases Opposite to Going Postal
There is no antonym for the phrase “going postal.” However, a “model employee” or “star worker” would be the opposite of one that goes postal.
What Is the Correct Saying?
The correct saying is “going postal.” This phrase is used to describe sudden violent impulses and acts, especially in a workplace context. “Going postal” typically refers to mass shootings committed at work.
Ways People May Say Going Postal Incorrectly
The phrase “going postal” originated with a series of mass shootings committed by postal workers.
It would be incorrect to describe any angry employee as “going postal.” Only use this phrase to describe acts of violence or fears that such acts may take place.
Acceptable Ways to Say Going Postal
You can say that angry (former employees) who committed mass shootings or other acts of terrible violence “went postal.”
You could also use this phrase to describe your fears that an employee or student may commit violence at work or school.