Clive  +  554527 Wed, 13 Aug 08 10:24 PM Hi, Since there seems to be a lot of misinformation here, let me put in my two cents.I'm afraid that some of your comments here are not correct. Don't discount the comments earlier in the thread. Here are just a few quick and brief comments. The general consensus in the American business world in my experience, and according to my Honors English instructor, seems to be that Ms. is pronounced "Miss" Definitely not. It's pronounced with the Z sound, ie Mizzzz. and should be used as the generic reference to any female whenever her marital status is not know, and also if it IS known that she is NOT married.  Also it does not matter if she is divorced, she is still a "Miss/Ms.", as it is impolite to title her by the fact that she is divorced.  It depends on her preference, if it is known to you. The only time when one can't be certain about the correct title is when the woman is widowed, in which case it depends upon her preference.  Some widowed women like to go back to being called a "Miss/Ms." while others prefer to remain a "Misses/Mrs."  This seems to depend somewhat upon whether or not the woman is interested in remarrying. I think many divorced or widowed women would not like this remark. It shows a lot of presumption. Mrs. means "Misses" and refers specifically and ONLY to a married woman. No, it's short for the archaic form 'Mistress'. And it can also be used by divorced or widoed women, if they wish. Mz. is the only abbreviation that would be pronounced "Mizz" but it is archaic and is realistically never used anymore.  In 12 years working in offices and customer service, I have NEVER even once seen Mz. used. It never has been used at all, to my knowledge. I think you are confusing is with Ms. Also, nobody in America uses the term "master" for young men.  This is also considered archaic and even arrogant by some.  Young men are referred to as Mr., just as all men are. The quite archaic 'master' was used for young boys rather than for young men. I'd prefer if we just changed all the rules and used the simple "Mr" or "Ms" ALL THE TIME but old rules die hard.  Best wishes, Clive   Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,585 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo Abbreviations

	Doll  +  558398 Mon, 25 Aug 08 02:16 PM  Hello Anon.  Please read former pages, you will find the related information. Doll Joined on Sat, Mar 10 2007 Senior Member 2,811