Mr.: Difference between revisions

The modern plural form is '''''Misters'''''{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}, although its usual formal abbreviation '''''Messrs'''''(.){{refn|group=note|Pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɛ|s|ər|z}} in English,<ref name=MessrsTheOED/><ref>Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/messrs. "Messrs."] Merriam-Webster ([[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]], 2015.</ref> and {{IPA-|fr|mesjø|}} in [[French language|French]].<ref name=MessrsTheOED>{{Cite OED|Messrs.|id=235069}}</ref> The French, however, do not abbreviate ''messieurs'' as ''Messrs'' but as ''MM''. In India, one often finds ''messieurs'' abbreviated as ''M/S'' or ''M/s'', especially as a prefix to the name of a firm.<ref>Sengupta, Sailesh. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=_Y5-ohfm7JcC&pg=PA278 Business and Managerial Communication]'', p. 278 (PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd., 2011).</ref>}} derives from use of the French title ''{{lang|fr|messieurs}}'' in the 18th century.<ref name=MessrsTheOED/><ref name=mluds>{{Cite OED|messieurs|id=117121}}</ref> ''{{lang|fr|Messieurs}}'' is the plural of ''{{lang|fr|[[monsieur]]}}'' (originally ''{{lang|fr|mon sieur}}'', "my [[lord]]"), formed by [[declension (nouns)|declining]] both of its constituent parts separately.<ref name=mluds/>

In the 19th century and earlier in Britain, two gradations of "gentleman" were recognised; the higher was entitled to use "[[esquire]]" (usually abbreviated to Esq, which followed the name), and the lower employed "Mr" before the name. Today, on correspondence from [[Buckingham Palace]], a man who is a UK citizen is addressed with [[post-nominal]] "Esq.", and a man of foreign nationality is addressed with prefix "Mr".

In the [[United States militaryArmy]], male [[Warrant officer (United States)|warrant officers]] andare addressed as "Mister", while chieffemale warrant officers are addressed as ''Mister''"Miss" byor senior"Missus", commissionedas officersappropriate.<ref>{{cite Inbook the|last=Bonn [[United|first=Keith StatesE. Navy|USdate=2005 Navy]]|title=Army andOfficer's Guide |location=Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania |publisher=Stockpole Books |edition=50 |page=16 |isbn=978-0-8117-3224-6}}</ref> In the [[United States Coast GuardNavy|US Coast GuardNavy]], it iswas properonce to use ''Mister''customary to refer toaddress [[commissioned officersofficer]]s below the rank of [[ commander]], or(O-5) toas subordinate"Mister"; commissionedthis officers,practice thoughended thein use1973 after an update of ''Mister''the implies[[United familiarityStates comparedNavy toRegulations|Navy theRegulations]], usewhich ofstandardised addressing all officers by rank.<ref>{{cite titlebook for|last1=Mack an|first1=William unknownP. officer|last2=Paulsen |first2=Thomas D. Female|date=1991 officers|title=The belowNaval theOfficer's rankGuide of|edition=10 |url=https://archive.org/details/navalofficersgui0000mack/page/138/mode/2up/ |location=Annapolis, Maryland |publisher=[[commanderNaval Institute Press]] may|page=139 |isbn=0-87021-296-6 |quote=In official spoken communications, officers will be addressed by their grade (as Miss,distinct Msfrom orthe custom prior to Mrs1973, aswhen appropriateofficers...below commander were called 'mister.'}}</ref>

In the [[British Armed Forces]], a male [[warrant officer]] is addressed as ''Sir'' by other ranks and non-commissioned officers; [[commissioned officer]]sofficers, particularly of junior rank, should address a [[warrant officer]] using ''Mister'' and his surname, although often their rank or appointment is used, for example "Sergeant Major", "Regimental Sergeant Major", or "RSM".