Messenger question

[Paul Gibbney]

What is the meaning of "don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger"

[lovelylad]

Put it this way, it would be distinctly unreasonable to bop the postman for delivering a letter contating bad news.

[andy hughes]

The notion of 'shooting the messenger' dates back to more barbaric times, when messengers, usually fast runners, carried news to kings or generals. If the news was bad - a lost battle, or a kingdom overthrown, it was not uncommon for the bearer of the bad news to be killed! Probably a show of strength, or maybe even just a fit of pique, but what ever the reason, being the bearer of bad news could be a hazardous occupation!