honorifics

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 55750

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "The Fox" <the_fox01 at h...> wrote:
> ...edited....
> 
> Adult witches who are not teachers are called ... Madam, with 
> apparently either a surname or a given name, as Madam Hooch, 
> Madam Pomfrey (whose given name we know to be Poppy), Madam Pince,
> and Madam Rosmerta (whom Hagrid calls simply "Rosmerta").
> 
> So:  how does one decide if a witch is Mrs. or Madam? ..... Maybe 
> "Madam" is the wizarding equivalent of "Ms." -- that is, it's used 
> to avoid the question of whether a witch is married or not, whether 
> by others or by the witch herself if she prefers her professional 
> title not to communicate this information?
> 
> Fox


bboy_mn:
Madam was originally used as a courtesy title before a woman's given
name, but in modern usage is either used before a woman's surname or
title, as in Madam Smith, Madam Chairman, or Madam President.

In more general usage, I think the key is age. A young unmarried girl
under 30 would be referred to as Miss. For polite but informal
courtesy address by someone they know, a woman might be addressed as
Miss Jane or Miss Sarah. For more formal situations, Miss Austin or
Miss Bernhardt. Unmarried women over 40 would be addressed as Madam.
Again, Madam Rosmerta, if you know her and are on friendly but polite
terms, or Madam Hooche for more formal circumstances.  Age 30 to 40 is
kind of the grey area. 

Just a thought.

bboy_mn