2006-11-07 19:00:21 · 10 answers · asked by nelcoy 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Times, they are a changing....
Miss was used commonly up to about 20-30 years ago. It was used to indicate "never been married". It is used still by older women (typically 70+), and girls under the age of, say 20.
Ms was "invented" in the 60s to create a salutation such as the "Mr." where marital status was not indicated by how a person was addressed. It is not about "hiding it" or avoiding it, it is about addressing the person, and not if or who they were married to. For example, up until the 60s women were addressed (commonly) as Mrs. John Smith, rather than by their own name. Wierd - I know.
Many women opt to use one or the other, which is really the best part about the women's movement. We have a choice. :o)
2006-11-08 02:52:52 · answer #1 · answered by firehorsetwo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Miss is usually used for a single, younger woman. Mrs. obviously is for married women. Ms. is used when either Miss or Mrs. is inappropriate. For example, you would use Ms. for a divorced woman.
2006-11-08 03:44:15 · answer #2 · answered by tma 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Miss is usually associated with a young woman and Ms. can be used in a variety of forms. I.E. a young woman, if you don't know what the ladies' appropiate address should be, to someone who is widowed or divorced, etc.
2006-11-08 03:46:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Miss indicates an unmarried woman, Mrs. a married one. Ms. is an all purpose designation to use (if you are not sure if they are or not). Some feminist like to use Ms. because who wants to be defined by whether you are married or not? Men stay Mr. wether they are married or not.
2006-11-08 03:04:16 · answer #4 · answered by joeanonymous 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A Miss is a person that is unmarried where as a Ms is a person who prefers not to make her marital status known.
2006-11-08 07:16:38 · answer #5 · answered by Lucy lou 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A Miss is generally assumed to be young and unmarried. A Ms. can be of any age.
2006-11-08 03:02:31 · answer #6 · answered by solarius 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Miss is no longer really used, it was a term of respect for young ladies in England, used by inferior classes.
Ms is the common form these days, and, its' use also avoids the possibility of embarassment when confronted by a lady whose marital status is unknown, hence, a generic.
2006-11-08 03:07:03 · answer #7 · answered by fed up with stupid questions 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Miss is a woman who is unmarried. Ms. is a woman who wishes to conceal her marital status, or wishes to announce her political position as a "feminist." Unfortunately, it is also a woman who filled out an on-line form that did not include "Miss" as an option. I hate that!
2006-11-08 03:04:10 · answer #8 · answered by auntb93again 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Miss refer to young and Ms refers to older women,,I always thought
2006-11-08 06:25:35 · answer #9 · answered by I give you the Glory Father ! 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There is none. Ms. is just an abbreviation.
2006-11-08 03:01:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋