Quote:
Originally posted by James
Ok . . Am I missing something?
don't Ms. and Miss sound the exact same?
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"Miss" has an "s" sound at the end, while "Ms." usually has a "z" sound at the end.
The funny thing is that in many parts of the South, "Mrs." is typically pronounced "Miz," so that it's "Ms." and "Mrs." that sound alike. Every female teacher I ever had growing up was "Miz" so-and-so, (except for the few unclaimed blessings who were "Miss" so-and-so). None ever used "Ms."
As for "ma'am," I readily admit it's a cultural or regional thing, but where I'm from it's just plain good manners for a child to call any adult (including parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles) "ma'am" or "sir." Same thing for an adult speaking to an adult of an older generation, a stranger, a customer, or pretty much anyone else who is not a collegue or friend (regardless of whether they are older, younger, or the same age as you.) It's not an age thing, it's simply a matter of courtesy and respect. You can believe my kids are having "ma'am" and "sir" drummed into their heads.
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