[HPforGrownups] Use of Madam (was Re: Hogwarts Teachers).

[Shaun Hately]

No: HPFGUIDX 86974

On 12 Dec 2003 at 10:08, quigonginger wrote:

> It seems to me, and I have racked my memory, that the only time we 
> hear Mrs is when it is used by Harry or the narrator.  Harry was 
> raised as a Muggle, and I think the narrator is a Muggle (or is at 
> least writing for them), so the use of Mrs would be cultural.  
> 
> We hear of Mrs Weasley, Black, and Figg from Harry's and the 
> narrator's POV, but the WW uses their given names or "mad old bat" or 
> another appropriate appelation.  To the best of my memory, wizards 
> and witches always use Madam unless the term Professor supercedes.
> 
> Can anyone think of an example where a witch is referred to as Mrs by 
> anyone who was raised in the WW?  This has had me wondering for some 
> time.  I try to remember it on rereads, but get distracted by the 
> story :)

Well, we have Mrs. Norris (-8

Besides that, Snape reading from the Daily Prophet in Chamber of Secrets refers 
to Mrs. Hetty Bayliss as one of the Muggles who saw the flying Ford Anglia - this 
suggests the term is not unknown in the Wizarding World, though it is an example 
of it only being applied to a Muggle.

We also have 'Mrs. Skowers' Magical Mess Remover'  (CoS) which would at least 
imply the use of the title for a Witch (also referenced at the Quidditch World Cup).

In GoF, Mrs. Weasley writes a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Dursley - so she is at least 
familiar with the term.

OK - Crouch in Goblet of Fire, refers to Mr. and Mrs. Fudge - seems the term is 
used in the Wizarding World.






> 
> Amusing(?) OT sidenote:  I once had a roommate from a part of the 
> country where Madam was a form of address.  Around here it is Ma'am.  
> Madam is the propriator of a house of ill repute.  I was shocked to 
> be addressed that way until we sorted it out.
> 
> Ginger, who prefers to be referred to as a "spinster"
> 
> 
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Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately | www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       | drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200 
"You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one
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