Miss,Ms

PublicSchoolAnn

My friend gave me some amusement today by putting Ms down as her title on her ucas from today. Is there much of a difference between miss and ms,iv just always thought ms was a bit feminist/lesbian.
Thanks.Ann.

I don't know if it's true but I always thought Miss was before you were married, Mrs when you are married, and Ms if you have been married but are now divorced, and so are no longer Mrs, but also aren't Miss. Don't know if this is correct though, just what I always assumed.

Reply 2

I'm a Ms as I dont like the idea that I'm being labelled for being married or not. Also means I will always be Ms Gilderode until i de as I wont be changing my surname either i I get married

Reply 3

need_money

9

I call people Ms. if i dunno if there a Mrs. or a Miss.

Reply 4

need_money

I call people Ms. if i dunno if there a Mrs. or a Miss.

Exactly. You always run the risk of offending someone.

Reply 5

mobb_theprequel

I don't particularly like the use of Ms. - and I generally associate it with lesbians and people on matriarchal crusades; it doesn't stop my mum from using the title in combination with her maiden name, infact - she subscribes to a magazine of the same name!

Reply 6

Sweyn Forkbeard

19

Ms is the politically correct 'equivalent' to Mr.

If you think about it, Miss and Mrs show marital status - Mr doesn't. I suppose it's more fair.

Reply 7

PublicSchoolAnn

OP

13

mobb_theprequel

I don't particularly like the use of Ms. - and I generally associate it with lesbians and people on matriarchal crusades; it doesn't stop my mum from using the title in combination with her maiden name, infact - she subscribes to a magazine of the same name!

What 'mizz'? thats like 'bunty' isnt it?

Reply 8

frost105

I'm a Ms as I dont like the idea that I'm being labelled for being married or not. Also means I will always be Ms Gilderode until i de as I wont be changing my surname either i I get married

Well like I said it's just what I'v always been told about it. I don't know anyone who is a Ms personally so I wouldn't really know. How did you become a Ms then? Cos all girls are a Miss until they are married, then they become Mrs, so how do you become Ms?

Reply 9

lynseyweth

Well like I said it's just what I'v always been told about it. I don't know anyone who is a Ms personally so I wouldn't really know. How did you become a Ms then? Cos all girls are a Miss until they are married, then they become Mrs, so how do you become Ms?

I decided. Anyone can be a Ms if they choose to be.

Reply 10

BlackHawk

17

nope Ms means you have been previously married but are no currently married. ie. divorced or widowed. I found that out after my bank manager laughed at me and explained the difference.

Reply 11

Elles

17

hmm, yep, i use Ms as well.

Ms is anyone female - married or unmarried, much like men. though realistic pershaps more appropriate to those of marriable age.. otherwise i suppose you could have 'Miss' as equivalent to 'Master'.

for the same reasons are previously mentioned.. my marital status is irrelevant. & i may keep my maiden name professionally even if i do marry, so not to complicate things..

not the definitive source.. but from dictionary.com - as obvious as any..lol

Ms. also Ms ( P ) Pronunciation Key (mz)
n. pl. Mses., also Mses also Mss. or Mss (mzz)
Used as a courtesy title before the surname or full name of a woman or girl: Ms. Doe; Ms. Jane Doe.
Used in informal titles for a woman to indicate the epitomizing of an attribute or activity: Ms. Fashionable; Ms. Volleyball.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Blend of Miss, and Mrs..]
Usage Note: Many of us think of Ms. or Ms as a fairly recent invention of the women's movement, but in fact the term was first suggested as a convenience to writers of business letters by such publications as the Bulletin of the American Business Writing Association (1951) and The Simplified Letter, issued by the National Office Management Association (1952). Ms. is now widely used in both professional and social contexts. As a courtesy title Ms. serves exactly the same function that Mr. does for men, and like Mr. it may be used with a last name alone or with a full name. Furthermore, Ms. is correct regardless of a woman's marital status, thus relegating that information to the realm of private life, where many feel it belongs anyway. Some women prefer Miss or Mrs., however, and courtesy requires that their wishes be respected.

Reply 12

sublime_envy

nope Ms means you have been previously married but are no currently married. ie. divorced or widowed. I found that out after my bank manager laughed at me and explained the difference.

Strange as my bank account is in Ms

Reply 13

mobb_theprequel

PublicSchoolAnn

What 'mizz'? thats like 'bunty' isnt it?

I've never heard of 'bunty', I'm afraid. Ms. is a fairly highbrow feminist/quasi-academic publication - it's also a pretty good firewood substitute.

Reply 14

BlackHawk

17

yeah as was mine until my bank manager asked if I was still divorced

Reply 15

LS.

8

Lesbian? I never knew people thought that! I guess I'm just very used to being around divorced people (women) with the 'Ms' title.

Reply 16

sublime_envy

nope Ms means you have been previously married but are no currently married. ie. divorced or widowed. I found that out after my bank manager laughed at me and explained the difference.

See that's what I always thought, it appears we are wrong though.

Reply 17

sublime_envy

yeah as was mine until my bank manager asked if I was still divorced

Who are you with?!

They ask in your application your marital status then so he should know.

I think its all very archaic and everyone should be Ms

Reply 18

LS.

Lesbian? I never knew people thought that! I guess I'm just very used to being around divorced people (women) with the 'Ms' title.

Whats even worse id if you have a feminist view point then your a dyke...obviously :wink:

Reply 19