Madam 211877 219764373 2008-06-16T19:52:56Z Hawk08210 6981619 {{otheruses4|the title|other uses|Madam (disambiguation)}} '''Madam''', '''Madame''', '''ma'am''', or '''Mme''' is a [[title]] for a [[woman]]. It is derived from the [[French language|French]] ''madame'' (see different meanings of madame [[Madam (disambiguation)|here]]), the equivalent of [[Mrs.]] or [[Ms.]], and literally signifying "my [[lady]]." The plural of ''madam'' in this sense is ''mesdames''. The French madame is in turn derived from the ancient [[Latin]] ''mea domina'' meaning honored mistress of the home (''domus'').<ref> Caesar And Christ, Will Durrent, Simon and Schuster, New York, 1944</ref> "Madam" may also refer to a woman who runs a [[brothel]]<ref>http://edition.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/27/dc.madam/index.html State Department official resigns over 'D.C. madam'</ref>. ==Use as a form of address== ''Madam'' is used in direct address, without the woman's name, for example when addressed by a stranger: ''May I help you, madam?'' In the [[United States]], "Ma'am" is usually used. The male equivalent is [[sir]]. Spelling of the word is often quarreled; some argue it is spelled "M'am" while it is widely accepted the correct form is "Ma'am". ===Formal address and protocol=== In English-speaking countries, the wife of a foreign dignitary is called '''Madame''' (note final 'e') in direct address and formal correspondence, rather than the equivalent word in the person's native language (''Señora'', ''Frau'' etc.). After addressing her as "Your Majesty," it is proper to address [[British monarchy#Style|The Queen of the United Kingdom]] as "Ma'am" for the remainder of the conversation, with the pronunciation as in "ham" and not as in "farm". Usage of "Ma'am" is common in the [[Southern United States]]. The [[Ascension Parish, Louisiana]] Public School System requires elementary school students to address female teachers as "Ma'am" or "Mrs./Ms./Miss (Family name)".<ref>[http://www.apsb.org/parents/disciplinepolicy.htm (Ascension Parish Public Schools)]</ref> ===In composed titles=== ''Madam'' is also used as the equivalent of [[Mr|Mister (Mr)]] in composed titles, such as ''Madam Justice'', ''Madam Speaker'', ''Madam President''. Most of these titles are usually used only in direct address, without the woman's last name: one would say ''President Smith'', not ''Madam President Smith'', even if one would address her to her face as ''Madam President.'' However, the title ''Madam Justice'' is used in third-person reference: ''Madam Justice [[Louise Arbour]], Madam Justice Arbour''. In the [[United States Supreme Court]], rather than adopting the title ''Madam Justice'' for female justices, the title ''Mr 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''. 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 Judge]]s are referred to as either Madam or Ma'am. ===Military and police use=== "Ma'am" is commonly used to address female officers of the rank of [[Inspector]] and above in [[United Kingdom|British]] [[police]] forces and female [[officer (armed forces)|Commissioned Officers]] and [[Warrant Officer]]s in the [[British Armed Forces]]. In the [[United States Armed Forces]], "ma'am" is used to address female commissioned officers and Warrant Officers. [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine]] recruits and [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]] trainees also address female [[non-commissioned officer|non-commissioned officers]] as "ma'am." ==''[[Ancien régime]]'' France== {{wiktionary}} Under the ''[[Ancien régime]]'', ''Madame'' was the wife of ''[[Monsieur]]'', the eldest of the King's brothers. ===For other royal French styles=== * [[Dauphin of France|Dauphin]] * [[Madame Royale]] * [[Monsieur]] * [[Fils de France]] * [[Petit-Fils de France]] * [[Prince du Sang]] * [[First Prince of the Blood]] * [[Prince of the Blood]] == See also == *[[Wayland Flowers]]: Created a famous puppet named Madame. == References == {{reflist}} {{Social titles}} [[Category:Women's social titles]] [[fr:Madame]] [[ru:Мадам]]