Now that a modern single woman, a “career girl”, can afford her own dwelling-place, is not the abbreviated title “Mrs.” appropriate? Socially she is mistress of her own affairs (in the better sense of the word) and financially independent. The tax collector calls her “Head of Household”. Sure sounds better than the purposely vague, meaningless, covert and unpronunceable “Ms.” which in my dictionary abbreviates only the word “manuscript”.
I like to be called Miss (although I am mrs now ;o), it makes me feel young again, from my experience (guest services) ladies of ALL ages cheer up when you call them miss, there is just something cute about it :o)
Leave a comment
Search us!
Search The Word Detective and our family of websites:
This is the easiest way to find a column on a particular word or phrase.
To search for a specific phrase, put it between quotation marks. (note: JavaScript must be turned on in your browser to view results.)
Ask a Question!
Puzzled by Posh?
Confounded by Cattycorner?
Baffled by Balderdash?
Flummoxed by Flabbergast?
Perplexed by Pandemonium?
Nonplussed by... Nonplussed?
Annoyed by Alliteration?
Claire in Springfield:
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Now that a modern single woman, a “career girl”, can afford her own dwelling-place, is not the abbreviated title “Mrs.” appropriate? Socially she is mistress of her own affairs (in the better sense of the word) and financially independent. The tax collector calls her “Head of Household”. Sure sounds better than the purposely vague, meaningless, covert and unpronunceable “Ms.” which in my dictionary abbreviates only the word “manuscript”.
Luc Nos:
September 11th, 2011 at 11:08 am
I like to be called Miss (although I am mrs now ;o), it makes me feel young again, from my experience (guest services) ladies of ALL ages cheer up when you call them miss, there is just something cute about it :o)