TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: What is the medium we are using? From:Vicki Rosenzweig <murphy!acmcr!vr -at- UUNET -dot- UU -dot- NET> Date:Mon, 4 Oct 1993 11:37:54 EDT
I think I would say "regular mail" or "the mail" in any kind
of formal context. "Snail mail," though amusing, is sufficiently
slangy that it might, again, confuse non-native speakers, and
I'd avoid "US mail" unless I were talking about things unique
to the United States or were _sure_ that my document wasn't
going to anyone outside the country. "Paper mail" might also
do--"parcel post" is a specific service.
Thus, I would say "We sent a copy of that document by regular
mail," but "A postcard only costs 19 cents by US mail."
Vicki Rosenzweig
vr%acmcr -dot- uucp -at- murphy -dot- com
