penny post
Definition
Noun (historical): - A postal system charging a uniform rate of one penny: "penny post" refers to a postal service, especially in the United Kingdom, that charged a fixed low fee (one penny) for delivering a letter, regardless of distance, within a specific area (e.g., a city or country). This system was introduced in the 17th century and later expanded.
Usage Examples
- (The uniform penny fee allowed widespread use.)
- (A national system with a flat rate.)
Advanced Usage
- "Penny post" is often used in historical contexts to describe early postal reforms, particularly associated with Rowland Hill's Uniform Penny Post in 1840 in the United Kingdom.
- The introduction of the penny post in 1840 led to a dramatic increase in mail volume. (The flat fee encouraged more people to send letters.)
Variants and Related Words
- Penny (n): a British coin worth one hundredth of a pound (or, historically, a small unit of currency).
- He gave the child a penny. (A coin of small value.)
- Post (n): a system for delivering mail.
- The post arrives at noon. (The daily mail delivery.)
Synonyms
- Uniform Penny Post: a specific historical term for the British system.
- Cheap post: a general term for low-cost postal service.
Related Idioms
- "A penny for your thoughts": a request to know what someone is thinking (not directly related to postal service, but shares the word "penny").
- You seem quiet — a penny for your thoughts? (Tell me what you are thinking.)
Note
The term "penny post" is now largely historical, as modern postal systems use variable rates based on weight, distance, and speed. It is not to be confused with "penny stock" or other financial terms.