Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Postscript (PS)

The two little letters "PS" have a long, fascinating history. Though its origins date back thousands of years, this humble abbreviation continues to be a vital communication tool in our high-tech world. From handwritten letters to text messages, the PS persists as an intriguing way to provide extra context, wit, and wisdom after you think you‘ve said it all.

As a lifelong tech geek and avid communicator, I‘ve always appreciated the versatility of the postscript to enrich correspondence. So join me on this lyrical journey through the ages to unlock the secrets of maximizing the PS in letters, emails, and texts!

Ancient Rome: The PS is Born

The earliest known usage of "PS" can be traced back to ancient Roman times. In Latin manuscripts the phrase "postscriptum" was used to denote text added after the main document was completed. Literally translated as "written after," it provided a way for scribes to include additional thoughts and context.

This afterthought annotation would also appear in the first published books created by Johannes Gutenberg‘s printing press in 1450s Germany. So the PS was helping writers convey extra meaning from the very beginnings of publishing.

Over centuries "postscriptum" was shortened to the more common PS or P.S. abbreviation. But that original purpose of designating an important yet belated idea has remained intact through the evolution of communication technologies.

1700s: American Leaders Lean on the PS

By the 18th century, the PS was widely embraced as a useful storytelling device. Prominent leaders like George Washington utilized it in handwritten letters to underscore key details or sentiments left unsaid in the main text.

For example, in 1778 correspondence from the Revolutionary War, Washington punctuated a letter to Colonel Elias Dayton with a clever PS:

"The design of this is to put you upon your guard…I would have it kept a profound secret."

This PS amplified the overall message by revealing the need for discretion.

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and other Founding Fathers employed PS marks in their letters as well. This just goes to show proper postscript usage has always been important, even to history-altering figures!

19th Century: Love Notes Embrace the PS

The 19th century saw PS gain popularity in romantic personal letters as a way to convey extra emotion. Who doesn‘t swoon over a handwritten "P.S. I love you" at the end of a letter from a suitor or spouse?

Authors began using this technique to intensify the affection or yearning felt by characters in novels too. In the classsic Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennett famously writes to Mr. Darcy:

“I must trouble you once more for congratulations … P.S. I just called you Mr. Darcy again by mistake! Forgive the liberty.”

This playful PS humanizes what could have been a detached formal note, showing the sender’s deeper feelings.

So by the Victorian era, the postscript was not just an afterthought – it was a secret weapon for expressing burning romance!

Telegram Talk Keeps It Brief

The invention of the telephone and rise of telegram communication in the late 1800s led to even briefer messages. Though longer letters continued to incorporate PS marks, the concise telegraph necessitated extra-compact phrasing.

This telegram from the early 1900s creatively uses a postscript with no other text:

"Arriving on 4:30 train PS Love you!”

Talk about conveying a whole lot with just a few characters!

While some assumed new technologies might make the postscript obsolete, these wired transmissions proved PS could powerfully convey emotion and personality even in minimalist messaging.

Email Epistles Let the PS Live On

The explosion of email and online correspondence over the past few decades might have spelled the end of quaint PS usage. But even in swiftly sent digital messages, the appeal of the postscript persists!

Though email allows writers to easily incorporate follow up thoughts inline, the PS remains a way to distinctly separate key afterthoughts or final remarks. Plus, they‘ve become expected and beloved in more casual emails:

Hi Mom,

I‘m all settled in my new apartment! It‘s small but cozy. Let me know when you want to visit and see it. Dad says hi!

Love,
Claire

PS: I‘ll send pics soon so you can see my awful decorating skills in action.

This funny PS adds humor to the exchange. So while the medium has changed, the impact of a well-timed postscript remains.

Texts and Chats: PS for the 21st Century

In our era of bite-sized, rapid-fire communication via texts, messaging, and social posts, the venerable PS is still going strong!

Sometimes a few characters at the end of a digital message can speak volumes through clever timing. Just look at these examples:

Texting:

Meet tonight at 7? We‘ll grab dinner somewhere downtown.

Yeah that works! PS – no sushi this time please lol

Social Media:

Headed to the big game tonight – go team! PS: Extra excited to see the halftime show!

Messaging App:

K lunch was great! PS you‘re the best 🙂

This flexibility proves that even when we have mere seconds to communicate, the PS helps us maximize the impact of our messages. It‘s stood the test of time as communication speeds have accelerated exponentially. Try incorporating PS marks into your own texts and posts – revolutionize a ho-hum conversation with a bit of personality and pizzazz!

Formatting Flair: Your PS Style Guide

When crafting postscripts, you have options for formatting. Here are some common styles:

PS: Simple, classic, no periods

P.S.: More formal, with punctuation

PPS: Second postscript to add even more thoughts

PS: Include creative punctuation like – PS: I can‘t wait!!!

What you choose depends on the tone you want to set:

Style	Best Suited For
PS	Informal correspondence
P.S.	Formal business letters
PPS	Long letters/emails with much to say
Creative PS	Adding personality; conveying excitement, humor

Mix and match to keep your reader hooked! The versatility of PS formatting ensures your messages never need get boring.

Writing a Powerful PS: Tips from the Pros

Now that you‘re a PS pro, here are some expert tips for adding postscripts with finesse:

• Match the tone of the overall message – keep it professional for work or playful for friends
• Be concise – PS works best in quick bursts of 10 words or less
• Place it properly – after your signature/sign-off for maximum impact
• Highlight key details – recap important info like dates or contact info
• Get creative – reveal emotions or amusing trivia to delight recipients
• Use sparingly – avoid PS overload or they‘ll lose significance

With practice, you‘ll be able to elevate all your communications with well-timed, lively PS remarks. They are little additions that speak volumes.

On a final note, don‘t let the brevity of a PS limit you. If you have a lot more to say, just start a new correspondence or break out your elegant cursive and pen a full-length letter. The written word never goes out of style.

The PS Legacy Lives On

From ancient Rome to 21st century texts, the versatile postscript has stood the test of time. It adds richness, personality, and impact to all types of correspondence when wielded skillfully.

So next time you send an email, respond to a text, or even hand-write a letter, consider sprinkling in a witty, wise, or emotional PS. This simple abbreviation may contain only two letters, but its legacy spans millennia as an essential communication tool. Thanks for sticking with me on this journey through the evolution of PS. I hope it inspires you to rediscover the power of the postscript!

P.S. Let me know if you have any other burning questions about this or any other facet of the written word. I‘m always delighted to nerd out over language and writing!