tublecane

I vaguely remember in school being taught to use 2 state abreviations, but it seemed like this was a switch from using longer aberviations, like Min for Minnesota verses MN. Any older Otters remember this switch, and why and how it was done? I assume it was some sort of push by the Post Office...

Minor Threat

Are you writing a scientific manuscript?

Minor Threat

Are you looking for abbreviations or Postal Codes?

Minor Threat

INFO HERE

j123vt_99

USPS still goes with 2 letters

DodgingCars

For the PO, always use the 2 letter. Otherwise, as long as people know what you're talking about, the other abreviation should be fine.

Like if you said I made a stop in St. Paul, Minn. I'm pretty sure that's ok.

Brain Stew

Sometime in the late eighties, early nineties the USPS mandated that each state had to come up with a two letter abbreviation Florida could no longer use FLA, but FL.

tublecane

I know that you use the 2 letter abreviation for the post office, and i know you would be fine using the abreviations other places. Actually I'm fairly certain you'd get away with it at the post office too, i mean all they really need is zip code.

I was just wondering when and why the change was done, and figured it was something like what Brain Stew mentioned, that it was something mandated by the USPS.

Minor Threat

Wow..that's a profound thing to wonder about.....

I usually ponder how many of those yummy green sour patch kids I'm going to get in the bag.....

tublecane

Admittedly this topic came up in a drunken conversation last night, not sure exactly how....

FiveO

I always go with MN.

Another northerner.... good to see

I'm about 45 minutes south of you tublecane.

mookiemeister

I don't remember anyone ever use the 3 characters abreviations. It has always been 2 character abreviations as far as I remember.

Max Bottomtime

It used to be Minn. before the two letter abreviation.

story

WHOOOO! MINNESOTA REPRESENT!

The link posted by Minor Threat is quite accurate. Great info.