Here's the breakdown:
* "Line" referred to a line of written text in a letter.
* "Drop" signified the act of sending a letter by mail.
Think of it like this:
* You would write a letter, filling it with lines of text.
* Then, you would "drop" that letter into a mailbox, sending it to its recipient.
Therefore, "drop a line" became a shorthand way to say "write a letter" or "get in touch."
Over time, the idiom has evolved to encompass other forms of communication, including:
* Emails: "Drop me a line and let me know how things are going."
* Texts: "Drop a line if you need anything."
* Social media messages: "Drop a line on my Instagram, I'd love to hear from you!"
Although the literal meaning of "drop a line" is no longer relevant today, the idiom remains a common and casual way to suggest someone reach out and communicate.