What do people mean when they say yes sir?

used for expressing strong agreement: He asked if he could talk to me, and I said, “Yes, sir.”

Why do people say Yes ma am and sir?

The origins of “ma’am” and “sir” are pretty self-explanatory. “Ma’am” comes from the more formal “madam,” a term of address once used for a married woman. “Sir,” besides being what folks called knights in merry old England, became a catch-all for addressing a gentleman.

Where did Yes sir come from?

The use of the word “sir” dates back to the 1200s. It was originally “sire,” a title of respect for all men. In the 1300s, “ma’am” became a contraction of the word “madam.” The word madam came from an Anglo-French reference for “ma dame,” which was the literal translation for the term “my lady.”

How do you respond to Yessir?

5 Ways To Respond To “Yes Ma’am” And “Yes Sir” In The South When You Are Neither

1. Chin up. The hardest lesson I have learned is to look someone in the eyes when they disrespect me, however, not all individuals know they are being disrespectful.
2. Continue to smile.
3. State your pronouns.
4. Change the pitch.
5. Continue with your day.

Is there a comma after Yes sir?

In direct address, a comma before the addressee is traditional and acceptable: “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” However, as noted in CMOS 5.47 of the 14th edition, expressions like “yes sir!” may be considered almost as a single word and omit the comma, especially when a true direct address follows (“Yes sir.

Is Yessir a real word?

exclamation. 1Used to express assent. ‘“Do you understand me?” “Yessir!”’

How old do you have to be to call someone Sir?

• Sir and ma’am are not age-related. Once you’re old enough to have the right to vote or serve in the military (age 18), you’re old enough for others to refer to as sir or ma’am.

What does it mean when girlgirl keeps calling me sir?

Girl keeps calling me sir, what does it mean? This is the equivalent to her calling you by your full name. She’s teasingly poking fun at you and not treating you like everyone else…

Is it correct to call a man sir or Ma am?

The Southern US still clings to a sense of etiquette and propriety, and one of the first things a child learns is to call women “ma’am” and men “sir”. You answer a question with “yes ma’am/no ma’am” or “yes sir/no sir”.

What is the origin of the title Sir?

• Sir first appeared as sire in the 1200s. Since about that time in Britain, it’s been a form of address for knights and baronets. Baronets rank below barons and even include commoners of note. • Then as the centuries passed, sire lost the ‘e’ and sir came to be used as a title of respect for all men.