Flail mail
A delightful phrase!
"Flail mail" is a colloquialism that refers to a letter or message that is poorly written, confusing, or unclear. The term is often used to describe a piece of written communication that is so poorly crafted that it's almost as if the writer is flailing about, trying to get their point across, but ultimately failing to do so.
The phrase is thought to have originated in the early 20th century, when the term "flail" was used to describe someone who was struggling or floundering. Over time, the phrase "flail mail" emerged as a humorous way to describe a piece of writing that was similarly inept.
Flail mail can take many forms, including:
- A letter that is riddled with typos, grammatical errors, and awkward phrasing.
- A message that is overly long-winded or rambling.
- A piece of writing that is unclear or confusing, making it difficult for the reader to understand the intended meaning.
- A letter or message that is overly formal or stilted, making it sound like it was written by a robot.
If someone describes a piece of writing as "flail mail," it's usually meant as a lighthearted way to poke fun at the writer's lack of skill or clarity.