Ms. vs. Miss; to Dame or not to Dame (was Re: Titles)

[Amy Z]

Christian asked:

> How do you pronounce Ms.?  I have always assumed it is pronounced 
> as "Miss", but the way I read the posts on this subject, you can 
> apparently hear the difference.

Yes, it's pronounced Miz.  That's kind of the way "Mrs." comes out 
too, in a lot of accents, if you're in a hurry.

> To my knowledge, while the Queen can award membership in the 
relevant 
> orders to foreign citizens, these recipients do not receive the 
right 
> to title themselves "Sir" or "Dame".  

That's what I understand.  Now what's the point if I'm not even 
allowed to call myself Dame Amy?  (Has a nice internal-rhyme-induced 
ring to it, don't it?)

What's the Order of the Garter?

Amy Z