Madam

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2009)

Madam, or madame, is a polite form of address for women, often contracted to "ma'am". The abbreviation is "Mme." and the plural is mesdames (abbreviated Mmes.) The term was borrowed from the French madame, which means "my lady".

Madam also refers to a woman (often past her prime) who owns or manages a brothel but usually does not prostitute herself.^[1][2][3]

Use as a form of address

In speaking, Madam is used in direct address when the lady's name is not known; for example: May I help you, madam? In the United States and in Canada, "ma'am" is usually used. The male equivalent is "sir".

When addressing a letter to the holder of a particular position without knowing the name or gender of the addressee, it is common to write "Dear Sir or Madam,". When writing to a newspaper editor, the correct English usage is to omit the "Dear" and commence simply "Sir," or "Madam," etc.

Formal protocol

In English-speaking countries, the wife of a foreign dignitary is called Madame in direct address and formal correspondence, rather than the equivalent title in the person's native language (Señora, Frau, etc.).^{[citation needed]}

After addressing her as "Your Majesty" once, it is correct to address the Queen of the United Kingdom as "Ma'am" (pronounced to rhyme with "ham") for the remainder of a conversation.^[4]

In 2009 the European Union issued guidance discouraging the use of "ma'am" when the woman's name is known, but does not indicate how to address a woman when her name is not known. ^[5][6]

In the UK, the wife of a holder of a non-British hereditary knighthood such as the German or Austrian Ritter, the Dutch-Belgian Ridder, the French-Belgian Chevalier and the Italian Cavaliere is called Madame. The English male equivalent is Chevalier.^{[citation needed]}

In composed titles

Madam is also used as the equivalent of Mister (Mr) in composed titles, such as Madam Justice, Madam Speaker, Madam President. In the UK, job titles such as President or Prime Minister are not used as titles, as such. By the precedent set by Betty Boothroyd, a female speaker of the house of commons is Madam Speaker or Miss Boothroyd.^{[citation needed]}

However, the title Madam Justice is used in third-person reference: Madam Justice Louise Arbour, Madam Justice Arbour.^{[citation needed]}

In the United States Supreme Court, in the Canada Supreme Court and the superior courts of Australia, rather than adopting the title Madam Justice for female justices, the title Mrs. Justice was replaced simply by Justice. Likewise, female presidents of the Republic of Ireland have preferred to be addressed simply as President in direct address, rather than Madam President, although Mr. President is in use in the U.S. with there being no claims of discrimination. Female judges of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales are titled Mrs. Justice rather than Madam Justice, regardless of marital status. However, District Judges are referred to as either Madam or Ma'am.^{[citation needed]}

Military and police usage

"Ma'am" is commonly used to address female officers of the rank of Inspector and above in British police forces and female Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers in the British Armed Forces.^{[citation needed]} In the United States Armed Forces and the Canadian Forces, "ma'am" is used to address female commissioned officers and Warrant Officers. U.S. Navy recruits and U.S. Air Force trainees do not address female non-commissioned officers as "ma'am", but rather by their respective ranks and surnames.^{[citation needed]}

Usage in non-English speaking societies

In Singapore and Malaysia, some Chinese women retain their maiden name after marriage, and some choose to be addressed in English as "Madam" instead of "Mrs." ^{[7][verification needed]}

Under the Ancien régime, Madame was the wife of Monsieur, the eldest of the King's brothers.

References