Master (form of address): Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
No edit summary |
Replacing link to a disambiguation page with a link to similar subject: as a self-identifier by dominants, and by submissives in addressing them, → as a self-identifier by dominants, and by submissives in addressing them, |
||
| (294 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|English honorific for young men and boys}} |
|||
:''This article refers to the form of address. For other uses, see [[Master]].'' |
|||
{{use dmy dates|date=May 2022}} |
|||
'''Master''' is an [[English honorific]] for boys and young men. It is usually abbreviated to MSTR or Mstr. |
|||
==Etymology== |
|||
'''Master''' is an [[English language|English]] title. |
|||
| ⚫ | ''Master'' was used in England for men of some rank, especially "free masters" of a trade [[guild]] and by any manual worker or servant employee addressing his employer (his master), but also generally by those lower in status to [[gentlemen]], priests, or scholars. In the Elizabethan period, it was used between equals, especially to a group ("My masters"), mainly by urban [[artisan]]s and tradespeople. It was later extended to all respectable men and was the forerunner of ''[[Mister]]''. The proper title of [[William Shakespeare's]] [[First Folio]] is pronounced ''Master William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bodleianshop.co.uk/products/the-making-of-shakespeares-first-folio-revised-edition |title=The Making of Shakespeare's First Folio, Revised Edition |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=April 2023 |website=bodleianshop.co.uk |publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}</ref> |
||
After its replacement in common speech by ''Mister'', ''Master'' was retained as a [[form of address]] only for boys who had not yet entered society. By the late 19th century, [[etiquette]] dictated that men be addressed as ''Mister'', and boys as ''Master''. |
|||
== In English society == |
|||
| ⚫ | ''Master'' was used in |
||
==Current usage in the United Kingdom== |
|||
After its replacement in common speech by ''Mister'', ''Master'' was retained as an address for boys or young men. By the late 19th Century, [[etiquette]] dictated that men be addressed as ''Mister'', boys under 13 years old be addressed as ''Master'', and from 15 to the age of maturity males not be accorded courtesy titles. However, in more recent times it is not uncommon for high-school boys (and sometimes junior-high-school boys, but not, typically, younger) to be addressed as ''Mister'', though some etiquette writers hold that the title ''Mr'' should not be used until the boy has left school. The title ''Master'' is much less frequently used in spoken language than formerly. |
|||
The use of ''Master'' as a prefixed title is, according to [[Leslie Dunkling]], "a way of addressing politely a boy ... too young to be called 'Mister'."<ref>{{cite book |first=Leslie |last=Dunkling |title=Dictionary of Epithets and Terms of Address |date=2012}}</ref> It can be used as a title and form of address for any boy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonner |first=Mehera |date=2021-06-24 |title=Here’s Why Meghan and Harry’s Son, Archie Harrison, Isn’t a Prince, Despite the Couple’s Wishes |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a28368410/archie-harrison-title-master/ |access-date=2021-09-19 |website=Cosmopolitan |language=en-US}}</ref> |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
However, ''Master'' is still used as the ''written'' form of address for boys of some undefined age, often regarded as under 13 in formal correspondence, particularly invitations to formal affairs. |
|||
The heir to a [[Scottish peerage]] may use the style or dignity<ref>{{cite book |edition=2nd |date=1953 |first=Valentine |last=Heywood |title=British Titles |pages=103–108}}</ref> "[[Master (Peerage of Scotland)|Master of]]" followed by the name associated with the peerage. For instance, the heir of [[Lord Elphinstone]] is known as the Master of Elphinstone. |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
== In Scottish society == |
|||
Nancy Tuckerman, in the ''[[Amy Vanderbilt]] Complete Book of Etiquette'', writes that in the United States, unlike the UK, a boy can be addressed as ''Master'' only until age 12, then is addressed only by his name with no title until he turns 18, when he takes the title of ''Mr.'',<ref name=Dunnan>{{cite book |first1=Nancy |last1=Dunnan |first2=Nancy |last2=Tuckerman |title=The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette |edition=50th Anniversary |date=1995}}</ref>{{rp|662}} although it is not improper to use ''Mr.'' if he is slightly younger. |
|||
The heir to a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[lord|lordship]], [[baron|barony]] or [[viscount|viscountcy]] is given the honorific title ''Master of'' followed by his father's title. For instance, the heir of [[Lord Elphinstone]] is known as the Master of Elphinstone; [[The Master of Ballantrae]] by [[Robert Louis Stevenson]] is about the ignoble heir to a noble house. |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
In the 21st century, ''Master'' as an honorific or more often ''master'' as a professional term still has some use in reference to advanced workers (not always male) in [[the trades]], and sometimes also to academics and educators. However, it is more frequently used as an [[adjective]] for this purpose (e.g. "master bricklayer"), or with an adjective ("school master", "headmaster"). |
|||
The general usage follows the English, though less strictly. Adult males are addressed, formally, as ''Mister'', while boys are addressed formally as ''Master'', though the latter is retained only in highly formal situations (such as for weddings and wedding invitations, which tend to be the only time many people follow full, formal etiquette) and by some older persons. The age at which the transition from master to mister takes place is not strictly observed, though approximately 13, or the beginning of [[high school]] (13 to 14) is usual for those who still observe the distinction. |
|||
''Master'' is also frequently used (along with feminine ''Mistress'' or ''Domina'') in the [[BDSM community]]<ref>Guy Baldwin (2002). ''SlaveCraft: Roadmaps for Erotic Servitude – Principles, Skills and Tools.'' Daedelus Publishing Co. pp. 57–62. {{ISBN|1-881943-14-3}}.</ref> as a self-identifier by dominants, and by [[submissives]] in addressing them, especially in [[Master/slave (BDSM)|master/slave]]-roleplay relationships. |
|||
== In institutions== |
|||
Some academic institutions, notably colleges within universities such as [[University of Oxford|Oxford]] and [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]], have a post of ''Master'', generally being the head of the institution. In formal address it can be customary to address such persons as ''Master'', for example at the beginning of a speech: ''Master, President, Senior Members, ladies and gentlemen:''. |
|||
==References== |
|||
Within the four [[Inns of Court]], the governing bodies are formed by the Masters of the Bench, all of whom will be addressed by as, for example, ''Master Bloggs'', notwithstanding that they may be Mr Bloggs QC, Lord Bloggs or Judge Bloggs at work or in outside life. There is also a category of junior judges, the High Court Masters, who are properly addressed as ''Master''. In all these cases, the title ''Master'' is applied to women as well as men. |
|||
{{Reflist}} |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
In Canada, judicial officers (deputy judges) called <i>Masters</i> may be appointed to the [[Court_system_of_Canada|Superior Court]] of a province, and are generally appointed to courthouses located in larger cities. Masters may adjudicate interim matters in court cases and are formally addressed as "Master" or "Sir"/"Madam". |
|||
The head of almost every London [[Livery Company]] is the Master, and addressed as such. |
|||
The head of a [[Freemasonry|Masonic]] Lodge is the Master, and addressed as ''Worshipful Master'' (not to be confused with the degree of ''Master Mason'', which is not a form of address.) |
|||
Some American college preparatory schools refer to their instructors as Masters, based on the British model. The head of a school is sometimes referred to as the Headmaster. |
|||
==In Religion== |
|||
In Eastern Orthodoxy, the term (or, more likely, a foreign-language equivalent) is used as a less formal, almost intimate, form of address, and also as a term of reference in a bishop's absence. Foreign language equivalents include ''Despota'' (Greek), ''Vladyka/Vladyko'' (Slavic), ''Stăpâne'' (Romanian) and ''Sayedna'' (Arabic). ''Examples'': "Welcome, Vladyko." or "Sayedna Elias will be arriving next Thursday." |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
A tradesman who has qualified on completion of his [[apprentice]]ship may be described as a ''Master Plumber'', ''Master baker'', etc., although that is not a form of address. |
|||
The term is generally used now to refer to an artisan considered to be at the top of their craft. |
|||
==In fiction== |
|||
In fiction, ''master'' is often used to indicate a teacher/pupil situation or for higher ranking persons than the speaker. An example of this is [[Darth Vader]] referring to [[Emperor Palpatine]] as his master, for example when acknowledging an order with the phrase ''"Yes, Master"''. |
|||
[[Master Harold...and the Boys]], a 1982 play written by Athol Fugard, demonstrates the use of "Master" to denote the social structure of [[South Africa under apartheid]]. |
|||
==See also== |
|||
*[[Italian honorifics]] |
|||
*[[Mistress (form of address)]] |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Men's social titles]] |
[[Category:Men's social titles]] |
||
[[Category:Honorifics]] |
|||
Latest revision as of 16:07, 25 May 2024
Master is an English honorific for boys and young men. It is usually abbreviated to MSTR or Mstr.
Etymology
[edit]Master was used in England for men of some rank, especially "free masters" of a trade guild and by any manual worker or servant employee addressing his employer (his master), but also generally by those lower in status to gentlemen, priests, or scholars. In the Elizabethan period, it was used between equals, especially to a group ("My masters"), mainly by urban artisans and tradespeople. It was later extended to all respectable men and was the forerunner of Mister. The proper title of William Shakespeare's First Folio is pronounced Master William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies.[1]
After its replacement in common speech by Mister, Master was retained as a form of address only for boys who had not yet entered society. By the late 19th century, etiquette dictated that men be addressed as Mister, and boys as Master.
Current usage in the United Kingdom
[edit]The use of Master as a prefixed title is, according to Leslie Dunkling, "a way of addressing politely a boy ... too young to be called 'Mister'."[2] It can be used as a title and form of address for any boy.[3]
Master was used sometimes, especially up to the late 19th century, to describe the male head of a large estate or household who employed domestic workers.[citation needed]
The heir to a Scottish peerage may use the style or dignity[4] "Master of" followed by the name associated with the peerage. For instance, the heir of Lord Elphinstone is known as the Master of Elphinstone.
Current usage in the United States
[edit]Nancy Tuckerman, in the Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette, writes that in the United States, unlike the UK, a boy can be addressed as Master only until age 12, then is addressed only by his name with no title until he turns 18, when he takes the title of Mr.,[5]: 662 although it is not improper to use Mr. if he is slightly younger.
Other extant usage
[edit]In the 21st century, Master as an honorific or more often master as a professional term still has some use in reference to advanced workers (not always male) in the trades, and sometimes also to academics and educators. However, it is more frequently used as an adjective for this purpose (e.g. "master bricklayer"), or with an adjective ("school master", "headmaster").
Master is also frequently used (along with feminine Mistress or Domina) in the BDSM community[6] as a self-identifier by dominants, and by submissives in addressing them, especially in master/slave-roleplay relationships.
References
[edit]- ^ "The Making of Shakespeare's First Folio, Revised Edition". bodleianshop.co.uk. April 2023.
- ^ Dunkling, Leslie (2012). Dictionary of Epithets and Terms of Address.
- ^ Bonner, Mehera (24 June 2021). "Here's Why Meghan and Harry's Son, Archie Harrison, Isn't a Prince, Despite the Couple's Wishes". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
- ^ Heywood, Valentine (1953). British Titles (2nd ed.). pp. 103–108.
- ^ Dunnan, Nancy; Tuckerman, Nancy (1995). The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette (50th Anniversary ed.).
- ^ Guy Baldwin (2002). SlaveCraft: Roadmaps for Erotic Servitude – Principles, Skills and Tools. Daedelus Publishing Co. pp. 57–62. ISBN 1-881943-14-3.