Misters or Messers?

by

Kranz On Copy made me think about titles and pronouns. I always pronounce “Messers” in my head as “mess-ers.” Thankfully, I never need to say this word out loud. I embarrass myself enough times mispronouncing things.

Recently, I emailed an editor of a newsletter about the Ms., Mr., and Mrs. issue. Some situations call for formally addressing a person, but it’s risky because today so many names could be female or male. Sean (Young) and Michael (Learned), for example.

I work with NYU’s online masters program that has many international students in the program. It has happened a few times when I thought someone was female then later learned the person was male and vice versa.

That’s why I struggled with naming my middle child. I liked a name, but wondered if people would think he was a girl. It worked out and it has not been a problem. My name… I get letters addressed to Mr. Meryl Evans at least once a month. The male variation is Merrill.

The he / she situation is also frustrating. I typically do what I can to avoid using either without substituting “their” when it’s referring to ONE person. But when it is not possible to avoid he or she, then I pick one. Can we have a word to represent both genders in singular form?!?! Can we use M. to represent all titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Miss)?

26 thoughts on “Misters or Messers?”

  4. Messers is the plural of Mister (Misters). So instead of saying Mr Smith, Mr Jones and Mr Wilson, you can say Messers Smith Johnes and Wilson.

    The plural or Miss incidentaly is Misses (pronounced the same as Mrs which should be pronounced Mistress as in a female Mister). The plural or Mrs is Misses’ and pronounced i gather a very uncomfortable Misseses. Perhaps Mistresses sounds more flowing.

  8. what about if two of the women you were writing to were Mrs and one was Miss?

    Or if two was Mrs and one was Ms?

    How would you write those?

    Also the trackback doesn’t appear to work

  10. According to Grammar Hotline, Mssrs and Messrs are both correct. It also says, “In formal English writing we use the abbreviation ‘messrs’ for the plural of ‘mister.’ It’s actually from the French ‘messieurs.’ (plural of monsieur)”

    So it looks like I was wrong about messers and it should be mssrs or messrs. No second e.

    I am sure we’d say “Misters Jones, Johnson and Smith.”

  11. Hi Guys! I used to start my emails writing “messers”, but… you know what? Today a customer asked what this word means, and so I went to check the exact explanation on a dictionary. SURPRISE! The word “messers” does not exist. The correct form is “messrs” (awful!). I wonder if this “messers” is an American form, or if it really does not exist at all. It’s so unfair, I like it so much!

  13. First of all, I think the correct spelling is Messrs, not Messers. Also, since Messrs is an abreviation of Messieurs, just like any other abbreviation, it should end with a period.

    So correct way of writing: Messrs.

    Please let me know if I off my rocks, and I will go fly a kite. But please do teach me.

    Thanks
    Dorian Gray
    Attic

  14. What if I should say in concluding:

    (1) I am, dear messers, yours most sincerely,
    Jimmy

    OR should I write:
    (2) I am, dear sirs, yours most sincerely
    Jimmy

    Which of (1) or (2) is more correct?

  17. What is appropriate if the letter is addressed the both males and females? Can I still use messrs?

  19. When addressing a formal letter to both men and women from various professions is it correct to say “Dear Messrs. and Mssrs.”? It looks and sounds a bit strange to me. Maybe “Dear Ladies and Gentlemen” would be more appropriate?

  20. Hope it’s not too late, but here is my advice.

    The plural of Mr. is Messrs. (i.e. Messrs. Black and Blue). The plural of Mrs. is Mmes or Mmes. (with or without the period). When addressing both, in plural, try Messrs. X, Y, Z and Mmes. V & W.

  21. ‘Messers is the plural of Mister (Misters). So instead of saying Mr Smith, Mr Jones and Mr Wilson, you can say Messers Smith Johnes and Wilson.’

    It’s the old French-Normand legacy: nowadays in French you’d say ‘Mes Sires’ (pronounced: ‘may seer’) to address kings and emperors.

  22. When addressing a formal letter to a group of men and women perhaps use:
    Dear Messrs and Mesdames,
    Mesdames is a plural of Madam, which can be either a Miss or a Mrs.

  23. Assume I’m addressing the Company with its personal.
    Can I use
    Att. of Messrs [Name of the Company]
    or
    Att of Mesdames and Messrs [Name of the Company]
    Yet in fax transmission I noticed only Messer
    Why?

  24. The plurals for the courtesy titles of Mr., Mrs., Miss, and Ms. are as follows:
    Mr. – Messrs.
    Mrs. – Mesdames
    Miss – Misses
    Ms. – Mses. or Mss.

  25. To confuse the issue, I was always taught that the ‘man’ of the house was “Mister”, and that the sons were “Master”.
    And that’s why Alfred calls Batman “Master Wayne”. Not because he’s a ‘learned expert’ , but because he’s the son of the household.
    ?

Comments are closed.