“Ma'am” is generally considered to be a polite term to address a woman, but depending on the region or context, it can mean the exact opposite. It comes from the French word for “my lady” (ma dame), which in English turned into “madam” and then “ma'am” by the 1600s, according to Merriam-Webster.
Ma'am is short for Madam and, by definition, is age-neutral. Miss refers to a “young lady” or “a young unmarried woman or girl."
Yes ma'am is a polite way of affirming something an older or superior woman has said, often used to show sass or excitement in response to something more generally.
: madam. used without a name as a form of respectful or polite address to a woman. Thank you, ma'am." Yes, ma'am.
Usually just used out of respect and/or if someone simply does not know your name. I was called ma'am numerous times while working at Target as a high schooler.
Ma'am is short for Madam and, by definition, is age-neutral. Miss refers to a “young lady” or “a young unmarried woman or girl."
In contemporary society a woman of legal age of maturity would be referred to as Ma'am. In most regions that is between 18 to 21 years of age.
Ma'am is a short form of Madam or Madame, the polite form of address for a woman.
noun. short for madam. ▶ USAGE Ma'am is used as a title of respect, especially when addressing female royalty.
What you are hearing is not mum as in mother, but ma'am, contraction of madam, with a strongly reduced vowel. In British English, it is mostly used as a sign of repect for a woman of superior rank, say, in the military or police.
If a man calls you ma'am it means he is showing you some type of respect. The reason why he called you sweet could be that he is attracted to you.
It's just a joking way of saying yes to her. Sometimes nothing's really meant by it. It's just like someone saying “yes lord"… letting you know it's a serious the yes is. Or on the other hand can be a sarcastic way of saying you're acting like you know everything or treated him like he was a child at the moment.
If you call someone in their 50's Sir or Ma'am, you may be insulting them. Most people in their 60's and 70's will still understand the reference to respect and appreciate it, but in general terms, the younger a person is, the higher the chance that they'll take offence to being called by a formal term of address.
One word in particular that stands out in English dialects is the word we use for our mothers. The British typically use 'mum', and the Americans, 'mom'.
People sometimes say ma'am as a very formal and polite way of addressing a woman whose name they do not know or a woman of superior rank.
The word sir, which is a respectful term used to address a man, derives from the word sire. When written with a capital S, it is used as the distinctive title of a knight or baronet.
Ma'am is used with respect for teachers and superiors and bosses. Madam is used for low-and-mid-level white collar officials, like bank tellers, governement officials etc (no respect implied), especially when talking in a vernacular language.
Using ma'am and sir are deemed traditionally Southern in the United States but may originally stem from 18th century England. It is an extension of formal politeness and a sign of good manners.
Madam (adult female) Mr + last name (any man) Mrs + last name (married woman who uses her husband's last name) Ms + last name (married or unmarried woman; common in business)
6. Ma'am or Sir. Again, if you're ever unsure of how to refer to someone older than you—including a family friend—you can default to “sir” or “ma'am.” For women, you can also use the term, “madam.” Unlike Mr., Mrs., and Ms., you don't need to include a last name or surname after sir, ma'am, or madame.
People call their parents 'Mummy/mum/mam/mother and Daddy/dad/father. The most formal forms are 'mother' and 'father'. Ma'am and Sir are reserved for visiting royalty. You can also use 'sir' and 'madam' to address strangers whose names you do not know in a formal situation.
Additionally, since the late modern period, Sir has been used as a respectful way to address a man of superior social status or military rank. Equivalent terms of address for women are Madam (shortened to Ma'am), in addition to social honorifics such as Mrs, Ms or Miss.
1836, representing a quick reply of yes, sir, which is attested by 1799 and in 19c. writing was a typical phrase for restaurant waiters taking orders. Extended form yessiree is attested from 1846 (in U.S., siree for sir is attested from 1823).
Technically, it's not appropriate to use a person's first name, without permission. The right thing to do is use an honorific (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr. ...) until the person says, “Please call me (first name).”