I was pondering the old question “Do you use sex-specific honorifics with peace officers?” (Sir vs. Sir and Ma’am) when I remembered a Dear Abby I read a while back (yes, I read Dear Abby. It’s amusing) (also, yes, I just decided to ponder about this out of the blue..matrix of thoughts, get the title?).
Some woman was absolutely adamant that “Ma’am” was short for “Mammy,” an old term used for the family ‘nanny’ slave during slavery. Judging by the letter, this woman was into her early middle age.
She would admonish anybody who called her “Ma’am,” saying it related to slavery (and even admonished if it was used on others around her, judging by the vitriol of the published letter). How this woman could have made it as far as to have ‘Dear Abby’ tell her she was absolutely mistaken boggles my mind.
“Ma’am” has nothing to do with “Mammy,” it’s shortened “Madam(e).” How do you get into your adult life without knowing this?
The woman wrote in asking ‘Abby’ to tell the world what “Ma’am” stood for. Apparently without this woman herself ever checking a dictionary. Webster’s even.
I truly wish common sense was a whole lot more common.