Ps Meaning
"PS" (or "P.S.") is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase "post scriptum," meaning "written after," and refers to an additional note or message added at the end of a letter or document after the main text and signature. It is commonly used in letters, emails, and social media to add a final thought that was forgotten or deemed less important than the main message.
What Does Ps Mean?
The abbreviation "PS" has its roots in Latin correspondence conventions dating back centuries. The term "post scriptum" literally translates to "written after," reflecting the practice of appending additional thoughts to a letter after it had already been signed and completed. This convention emerged from an era when letter writing was formal and deliberate, and writers often thought of supplementary information only after concluding their main message.
Historical Context and Evolution
In traditional letter writing, the PS meaning in letter communication served a practical purpose. Before the digital age, handwritten correspondence was the primary means of written communication, and a postscript allowed writers to add urgent or secondary information without rewriting the entire letter. The abbreviation "P.S." (with periods) became the standard formal notation, though it has since evolved into the lowercase "ps" in contemporary usage.
Modern Usage Across Platforms
The ps meaning in text and ps meaning in social media have evolved significantly with digital communication. In emails, text messages, and social media platforms, "PS" remains a common convention for appending afterthoughts. However, the formality has diminished considerably. What was once a structured element of formal correspondence is now often used casually and spontaneously.
On social media, ps meaning slang has become even more relaxed. Users might add a "ps" to a comment, caption, or message to include a humorous aside, a genuine afterthought, or additional context that feels separate from the main point. The lowercase "ps" is now standard in informal digital communication, while "P.S." maintains its use in professional emails and formal documents.
Multiple Postscripts
Interestingly, writers often add multiple postscripts, which are labeled "PPS" (post post scriptum) for a second afterthought, and sometimes even "PPPS" for a third, though this becomes increasingly informal and is now rarely seen in professional settings.
Key Information
| Context | Formality Level | Typical Usage | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business letters | High | Professional additions | P.S. (with periods) |
| Formal emails | Medium-High | Important supplementary info | P.S. |
| Casual emails | Medium | Additional thoughts | ps or P.S. |
| Text messages | Low | Quick afterthoughts | ps (lowercase) |
| Social media | Very Low | Humorous or casual asides | ps or PS (no periods) |
Etymology & Origin
Latin (post scriptum, literally "written after")