Motto Misnomer

The California rain storms today brings to mind a motto misnomer that most people are familiar with.   But actually, the US Postal Service indeed does NOT have an official motto.  It is however, often incorrectly quoted as…

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”

The small part that is true about the misquoted creed is that it’s merely a large inscription on the front of New York City’s James Farley Post Office as shown below.   If you’d like a closer look so you can better read the inscription for yourself, here is the full blown photo…enjoy!

James Farley Post Office (Wikipedia 2009)

James Farley Post Office (Wikipedia 2009)

But this Postal Service fable has little known historic origins. The original passage comes from HerodotusHistories (Book 8, Ch. 98) and “describes the faithful service of the Persian system of mounted postal messengers under Xerxes I of Persia.” (Wikipedia)

It is said that as many days as there are in the whole journey, so many are the men and horses that stand along the road, each horse and man at the interval of a day’s journey; and these are stayed neither by snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from accomplishing their appointed course with all speed. (trans. A.D. Godley 1924)

For many who are more familiar with modern connotations of the word “postal”…it may be difficult for them to believe a romanticized notion such as a Postal Service creed anyway. But alas, we still have Cliff Claven.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Print this article!
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Mixx
  • LinkedIn
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Yahoo! Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • Ping.fm
  • Tumblr
  • Propeller
  • MySpace
  • FriendFeed

About MailingServiceCenter
Gravatar = gary@mailingservicecenter.com

Comments

21 Responses to “Motto Misnomer”
  1. My Homepage says:

    “Xanax (Alprazolam) is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Alprazolam is in a class of “ 834146

  2. Wherefore, there being afterward in Mansoul most of those unusual types of mixtures, it was firm for them, in some cases, to find out who were natives, who not, for Mr Carnal-Security jumped from my preferred Lord Willbewill by mother’s region, though he had for his daddy a Diabolonian by nature.

  3. milf says:

    We need heating and cooling not just for our homes but in our place of work as well. When we feel comfortable, we become more productive and having reliable HVAC systems can truly help us.

  4. Alejandro from Shipping to Hawaii says:

    It’s awesome for me to have a site, which is good in support of my know-how. thanks admin

  5. Hello, my name is hans biedermann, i’m gay. you can call me: +436509809610 or visit me A-2500, Baden Bei Wien

  6. Playtech Casinos Information testimonials and lists normally the most well-liked casinos making use of the playtech software package system. Casinos featuring the most popular slots, blackjack, blackjack change, and a number of in the other faves. Appreciate better than Las vegas affiliate payouts even though wagering in a excellent environment.

  7. Cruz Vanicek says:

    You made some good points there. I did a search on the subject and found most guys will go along with with your site.

  8. I absolutely love the theme on this website. Can you tell me where you can get it? Thanks a lot!

  9. Really interesting post you’ve got here. I need more info . on this. Hey not to go off topic but can anyone give me overview of. Philadelphia Car Insurance Reform 1044 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 618-2175 They can be down the block from me. I was wondering if they were a good insurance agency. I need to acquire coverage, it is the law you know, but I need to have a good price price plus I want friendly service.

  10. Bei uns finden Sie eine große Auswahl versierter Ultraschall-Spezialisten. Aufklären Sie sich geradlinig außerdem unkompliziert über die Behandlungsmöglichkeiten halbwegs in Ihrer Nähe.

  11. Frank says:

    You made a fascinating point but I can’t help but wonder, what do you think about flipside?

  12. Sophie says:

    I saw this website and got so worked up that I superman punched my dog!

  13. Candice says:

    Cool story, bro!

  14. Louise says:

    You wrote a fascinating point but I can’t help but wonder, what about the other side?

  15. Clark says:

    Do you mind if I quote this?

  16. I was thinking about this subject matter and investment still ‘m, thanks for posting.

  17. Sehr Fundierte Beitrag und Infos habt ihr hier auf eurer Web-Angebot wenn es über den Daumen Edelmetalle wie Gold geht, ich werde jetzt gelegentlich öfter vorbeischauen.

  18. OMFG do NOT listen to Vinnie! Do NOT put Neg cable on the Positive! What a moron!

  19. Simply wish to say your article is as surprising. The clearness to your publish is simply great and i can assume you are a professional in this subject. Well together with your permission allow me to grasp your RSS feed to keep updated with impending post. Thank you a million and please keep up the rewarding work.

  20. starcraft says:

    hi, just thought you might want to know that your blog is out of wack when I see it on my iphone. I’m not sure if it has something to do with my phone’s browser or your website? just saying :)

  21. Allan from Same Day Couriers says:

    Hi there,

    I always thought a good motto for a national postal service would be “We know where you live!” although with the recent postal strikes experienced here in the UK, perhaps “Making customer service a thing of the past” would be more apt!

    Allan

Speak Your Mind

Tell us what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!

This site uses KeywordLuv. Enter YourName@YourKeywords in the Name field to take advantage.