postilion
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postilion
A historical term for a mounted mail carrier or the driver of a mail coach who was responsible for transporting letters and people.
Der Postillon blies in sein Horn, um die Ankunft der Postkutsche anzukündigen.
The postilion blew his horn to announce the arrival of the mail coach.
'Postillon' (postilion) is a historical term. It is used only when talking about the past, for example in stories, films, or in connection with postal history of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Im Museum gab es eine Ausstellung über das Leben eines Postillons.
At the museum, there was an exhibition about the life of a postilion.
The word contains the stem 'Post' (mail/post). This helps with classification: a postilion always had to do with transporting mail, meaning letters and packages.
Der Postillon war oft wochenlang unterwegs, um die Post zuzustellen.
The postilion was often on the road for weeks to deliver the mail.
The typical instrument of the postilion was the post horn. With the horn, he announced his arrival in the next town. This image is deeply rooted in German culture.
Schon von Weitem hörte man das Horn des Postillons.
You could hear the postilion's horn from far away.
courier
'der Kurier' and 'der Postillon' both have to do with transporting messages or mail. 'Kurier' is a modern word for a person or service that brings urgent items. 'Postillon', by contrast, is a historical term for a mounted mail carrier or the driver of a mail coach. The words can be confused because both deliver or transport something. In everyday life today, people almost always say 'Kurier'. 'Postillon' fits mainly in historical texts or when talking about old mail coaches.
Im Museum erklärt die Führerin, wie der Postillon früher Briefe mit der Kutsche brachte.
In the museum, the guide explains how the postilion used to deliver letters by coach.
Vor dem Termin wartet sie auf den Kurier mit den wichtigen Dokumenten.
Before the appointment, she waits for the courier with the important documents.