Most Americans know their ZIP code by heart. They type it into online forms, scribble it on envelopes and memorize it as part of their address. But not everyone knows the original meaning of the term.

The humble ZIP Code shows up in all kinds of surprising places. Planet Money looks at how it was born, how it transformed the mail and talks to one researcher who argues that it's gone too far. The ...

That used to be the ZIP code for Silver Cliff, Colorado, before the U.S. Postal Service removed it from use and forced the town to use neighboring Westcliffe’s ZIP code. “We lost our identity,” said ...

Hanna Horvath is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Red Venture's senior editor of content partnerships. Fox Money is a personal finance hub featuring content generated by Credible Operations, Inc.