Madam

This article is about the title. For other uses, see Madam (disambiguation).

"Mme" redirects here. For other uses, see MME.

Madam (/ˈmædəm/), or madame (/ˈmædəm/ or /məˈdɑːm/), is a polite and formal form of address for women, often contracted to ma'am (pronounced /ˈmæm/ in American English and /ˈmɑːm/ in British English). The term derives from the French madame (French pronunciation: [maˈdam]); in French, ma dame literally means "my lady". In French, the abbreviation is "M^me" or "Mme" and the plural is mesdames (abbreviated "M^mes" or "Mmes").

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? The male equivalent is "sir".

In African-American English and Southern American English dialects, the abbreviation "ma'am" (to rhyme with "jam" or "ham") is commonly used to address a woman with respect, but can also be used sarcastically. ". . . to yes ma’am (and no ma’am) someone is to tell them what they want to hear so they will leave you alone."

Formal protocol

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

In 2009 the European Parliament issued guidance on the use of gender-neutral language which discouraged the use of terms which indicate a woman's marital status.

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

In France, under the Ancien Régime, the wife of the younger brother of the King was known as Madame. A famous example is Henrietta Anne of England, daughter of Charles I. She was married to Philippe, duc d'Orléans who was the brother of Louis XIV of France.

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.

However, the title Madam Justice is used in third-person reference: Madam Justice Louise Arbour, Madam Justice Arbour.

In the Supreme Court of the United States, the Supreme Court of Canada 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. In the United Kingdom, 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, female District Judges are referred to as either Madam or Ma'am. Female judges of the High Court of Hong Kong and the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong are, however, titled Madam Justice.

Military and police usage

"Ma'am" is commonly used as a verbal address for female officers of inspector and higher ranks in British police forces. The word is also used by junior personnel to address female superiors in the British Armed Forces.

In the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, "ma'am" is an appropriate greeting for junior personnel when rendering a hand salute to a female superior.

In the Canadian Forces, "ma'am" is a proper response when coming to attention to a female officer or chief warrant officer calling the roll.

Use in non-native English-speaking societies

In Southeast Asia, most women who choose to continue using their maiden name after marriage are usually addressed in English as "Madam" instead of "Mrs". "Madam" will normally be used followed by the woman's own surname, while "Mrs" may be used followed by her husband surname.

"Mme. Chiang Kai-shek" was used by Soong Mei-ling, wife of Chiang Kai-shek. It is also used to translate the Chinese 大家 and 大姑, respectful forms of address for a woman, as in the case of Madame Cao.

In some Arab countries, especially Egypt and the Levant, "Madam", pronounced with a long second "a" as in the French, is used generally as a polite term for a married woman.