chain letters
Multiply-or-else mail
Chain letters are messages urging recipients to copy and forward them to others, typically promising good fortune for compliance or threatening bad luck for breaking the chain.
Traditional chain letters arrived by mail; modern versions spread through email and social media.
The format exploits superstition and social pressure: Delete this chain letter and you'll have seven years of bad luck.
Most are harmless annoyances, though some constitute illegal pyramid schemes when they request money.
- photocopyMachine-made paper duplicate
- emailDigital written communication
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- urban legendsWidely circulated false stories
- superstitionBaseless belief in omens
pass it on · copy · meme · curses · recipients · pyramid scheme · messaging · folklore · paper · viruses · stamp · replication · luck · good luck charm · inbox · xerox · strangers · postage
- correspondenceletter, missives, love letter, emails, farewell letter
- spamspam, junk mail, spam filter, spam folder, bulk mail
- superstitionssuperstition, superstitions, hexes, black cats, broken mirror
- netiquetteread receipts, ghosting, emoji use, typing indicator, privacy settings
- hoaxesalien autopsy, moon landing hoax, War of the Worlds, fake photos, forgeries
- mail crimesmail fraud, postal fraud, mail theft, mail tampering, postal theft
chain letterspersonal letters
Individual written communications
personal correspondence · private letters · handwritten letters · love letters · direct mail
chain lettersprivate letters
Confidential written communications
sealed letters · thank-you notes · condolence letters · telegrams
chain, chains, letters, lettered, chained, lettering, newsletter, unchain, unchained