Post by Miss Rose on Sept 21, 2009 12:46:09 GMT -4
OK, so T's song got me thinking (I know, I know, it isn't always a good thing for me to think) I have asked around and gotten responses to the question of titles. Having lost my husband, I would be referred to as Widow Rose. If not, I am still in question as to whether to take Samuel's name or be more familiar in my given name. Anyone else have a clue? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
This seems to be the most informative, but still doesn't quite hit the spot I was looking for.
***************According to the Vulgar Tongue, a 1785 English Book of slang, Miss derived from Mistress. Mistress derived from the Old French Maistre (Master) and feminized esse. Maistresse being seen in Old English from the later 13th century onwards changing to Mistress by the 17th century. Mistress was seen as the "Woman of the House" The female family member in Charge. Throughout the 18th century it could be used in a positive term(England, Mistress of the Seas) or as in the 1785 Book, the Vulgar Tongue, a Mistress was a kept woman by a married man.
Mrs. was first recorded about 1582 as a plural of Mistress and was considered a vulgar shortening of Mistress until the early 18th century. Madam is an Old French equivalent for My Lady, Mes Dames would be the plural. It was used as both positive or negative from the 18th century on, though not being connected to Brothels until the late 19th/early 20th century.
By the mid 19th century Miss or Mrs. would be the proper term to use in polite company. Mistress would be an archaic term and throw the Lady in question due to its double meaning. This during the time when drumstick was used at the dinner table so as not to offend by saying the word Leg. Hope this helps with the question of Titles,
Steve(Big Bear)
This seems to be the most informative, but still doesn't quite hit the spot I was looking for.
***************
Mrs. was first recorded about 1582 as a plural of Mistress and was considered a vulgar shortening of Mistress until the early 18th century. Madam is an Old French equivalent for My Lady, Mes Dames would be the plural. It was used as both positive or negative from the 18th century on, though not being connected to Brothels until the late 19th/early 20th century.
By the mid 19th century Miss or Mrs. would be the proper term to use in polite company. Mistress would be an archaic term and throw the Lady in question due to its double meaning. This during the time when drumstick was used at the dinner table so as not to offend by saying the word Leg. Hope this helps with the question of Titles,
Steve(Big Bear)