snail mail

American  

noun

Facetious.

1. physical delivery of mail, as contrasted with email.

2. the letters, packages, etc., delivered this way.

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snail mail British  

noun

1. the conventional postal system, as opposed to electronic mail

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verb

1. (tr) to send by the conventional postal system, rather than by electronic mail

snail mail Cultural  

1. A term used to denote mail sent via the traditional postal service, usually to contrast that process to e-mail.

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snail mail Idioms  

1. Ordinary postal service, as opposed to electronic communications. For example, He hasn't taken to his computer so he's still using snail mail. This slangy idiom, alluding to the alleged slowness of the snail, caught on at least partly for its rhyme. [1980s]

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Etymology

Origin of snail mail

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

"Snail mail" is still quick for the cost and is, in my opinion, safer.

From Washington Post • Nov. 4, 2021

Snail mail: Anna, like the sad girl at summer camp, has no post.

From Time • Jan. 21, 2013

Snail mail Mail that comes through a slot in your front door or a                 box mounted outside your house.

From Big Dummy's Guide to the Internet by Electronic Frontier Foundation

Snail mail ————— A pejorative term referring to the national postal service in different countries.

From The Online World by De Presno, Odd