Why do we refer to people like that when we are talking directly to them? Why don't we say, Good Evening "Mr. Judge" or "King Joe" or "Queen Ingeborg?" And who came up with this idea? When?
2007-02-02 12:16:37 · 8 answers · asked by Vixen 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Royalty
I am extra curious about referring to people you are *speaking to* in third person. For example, I will call my doctor "Doctor" but I don't say, "Good morning your Doctor". He's MY doctor. If I lived in England, Queen Elizabeth would be *my* queen. So is she her own majesty? Don't get it.
2007-02-02 14:22:55 · update #1
"It" is called the Royal "we" or the Royal Perogative. What this means is, "that as the Divine Right ruler of the land," this job was given to them by God (see the Divine right to rule) and as such, they felt they were special and above man, ordinary man. This gave them the Royal WE. That is; the ability to talk about themselves in the 3rd person, or as Queen Victoria used to say, "We are not please." No one else could say it.
You say, "Your Royal Highness" ONCE, and then for the rest of the day, you only say, "ma'am."
As for Judges, etc., you should always give them their titles as a sign of respect, such as "your honor," "sir," etc., its just a matter of courtesy. This keeps them professional and at arms length from both parties "getting too close."
Most of these are based on respect, tradition and history. There's usually good reason for it, if its been done for hundreds of years, its because it works.
2007-02-02 15:24:18 · answer #1 · answered by AdamKadmon 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A minor observation ..... The first time you address the Queen, you'd say "your majesty", subsequently you'd address her as "ma'am". A prince of the royal blood would be addressed as "your royal highness", followed by "sir".
The use of royal address forms is meant to distinguish between those of the ruling family, peers of the realm (with their own titles) and the rest of us. They're a sign of esteem. If you're of the school of thought that these are irrelevant, out of date, etc., turn down your next invitation to Buckingham Palace!
As with much that is royal, these terms of address have been traditional for eons. Their usage can probably be traced back to the caveman chieftain who insisted on being addressed in a distinctive fashion, given his leadership position. While "proper" forms of address will continue to evolve slowly, they'll still be in use as long as there is a ruling family somewhere.
In America, titles and respectful address are conferred based on merit and achievement -- not birth -- on people such as doctors, judges, et al. These terms of address acknowledge A) the person's achievements (academic, professional), and B) the position of power they occupy.
.... And, why not? It's a little social recognition. Best to use them, if you have occasion to do so. You definitely don't want to piss these guys off!
2007-02-02 21:55:52 · answer #2 · answered by Lady Yaz 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is expressing respect for the individuals title whom you are addressing. I'm not sure who came up with the idea of addressing individuals this way and I would be leary of anyone who says they do know. If you would look back in your history book, it always states "his majesty" and/or her "royal highness".
2007-02-03 19:33:34 · answer #3 · answered by martin49 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think anyone in particular came up with that. It's just a long lived tradition. And yes I don't have a problem with addressing someone of a title this way, they do deserve respect.
2007-02-02 21:23:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your Honor, His Majesty & Her Royal Highness came up with it and everyone went along with it because they didn't want their heads chopped off!
2007-02-02 20:24:49 · answer #5 · answered by Aunt Bee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know why, but I will say none of them deserve the handle, I find no Honor in any of them including politicians.
2007-02-02 20:28:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is traditional, and it is polite.
2007-02-03 00:58:36 · answer #7 · answered by kiwi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is etiquette
2007-02-02 21:58:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋