Quote:
Merriam-Webster
Main Entry: mad·am
Pronunciation: 'ma-d&m
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural madams
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French ma dame, literally, my lady
1 plural mes·dames /mA-'däm, -'dam/ : LADY -- used without a name as a form of respectful or polite address to a woman
2 : MISTRESS 1 -- used as a title formerly with the given name but now with the surname or especially with a designation of rank or office <Madam Chairman> <Madam President>
3 : the female head of a house of prostitution
4 : the female head of a household : WIFE
|
I see nothing about an
old woman in there.
Quote:
Main Entry: sir
Pronunciation: 's&r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from sire
1 a : a man entitled to be addressed as sir -- used as a title before the given name of a knight or baronet and formerly sometimes before the given name of a priest b : a man of rank or position
2 a -- used as a usually respectful form of address b capitalized -- used as a conventional form of address in the salutation of a letter
|
Once again...
I see them both as a respectful way to address either someone you don't know, or a superior. While we're on the subject, stop taking offense to the word
lady .
Somewhat on topic: I find myself calling females "miss" even though I know that they're married. It just seems to roll off of my tongue easier. Nobody has ever said anything, but would any of you be offended by that?