Difference between revisions of "Sirrah"
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(This is a term of contempt, not an alternative to an honorific.) |
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| − | + | While this term is sometimes mistakenly thought to be an alternative to "sir" because it has "sir" as a common root word, that is not the case. "Sirrah" is a derogatory term for an inferior. Due to the root word "sir" the word is primarily used to refer to males instead of females in English. | |
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| + | The Random House Dictionary defines "Sirrah" as: | ||
| + | "a term of address used to inferiors or children to express impatience, contempt, etc." | ||
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| + | The Mirriam-Webster Dictionary provides the following definition: | ||
| + | "used as a form of address implying inferiority in the person addressed" | ||
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| + | The word originated in 1526. | ||
Revision as of 22:50, 4 January 2010
While this term is sometimes mistakenly thought to be an alternative to "sir" because it has "sir" as a common root word, that is not the case. "Sirrah" is a derogatory term for an inferior. Due to the root word "sir" the word is primarily used to refer to males instead of females in English.
The Random House Dictionary defines "Sirrah" as: "a term of address used to inferiors or children to express impatience, contempt, etc."
The Mirriam-Webster Dictionary provides the following definition: "used as a form of address implying inferiority in the person addressed"
The word originated in 1526.
