Is it OK to say yes sir?

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

Is it polite to say sir?

If you call someone in their 50's Sir or Ma'am, you may be insulting them. Most people in their 60's and 70's will still understand the reference to respect and appreciate it, but in general terms, the younger a person is, the higher the chance that they'll take offence to being called by a formal term of address.

Should I say yes mam?

This referred to any lady, married or single, just like sir referred to any man. Both words have been in standard use in their current forms since at least the 1700s. Today, they are still standard signs of respect.

Why do Southerners say yes sir?

Those of us raised in the South understand, or should understand, that the meaning behind our usage is one of respect and politeness and nothing more. Our parents taught us those words were the way to show respect to our elders.

What does yes sir no sir mean?

(old-fashioned, humorous) said when you agree to do something that somebody asks you but think that they are rather rude or unreasonable: Our new manager doesn't want to hear our opinions, all he wants is, 'Yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir. 'This phrase is from the nursery rhyme, 'Baa, baa, black sheep'.

MAGIC! - Rude (Official Video)

How do you say yes in the South?

“Yes Ma'am (Sir)”

This is not just a southern phrase, but yes ma'am or yes sir is the only way to answer a yes question in the South, and the same would apply if the answer is no.

Why do we say sir?

The word sir, which is a respectful term used to address a man, derives from the word sire. When written with a capital S, it is used as the distinctive title of a knight or baronet. The word sire is now considered archaic. But it was once used to refer to an authority or a person of general importance.

Can you say yes sir to a woman?

Sir is for men. Most women would be offended if you called them sir (with the possible exception of some supreme feminists). Like John M. Landsberg commented, "Ma'am" is what you want to use unless you're asking for trouble.

Where does the word yes sir come from?

1836, representing a quick reply of yes, sir (in 19c. writing typically of restaurant waiters taking orders). Extended form yessiree attested from 1846.

Is sir used in UK?

In the UK you should normally avoid using "sir" to address regular people. The use of "sir" tends to indicate that you serve someone (though there is no connection in meaning or etymology with serve and sir). In British English men are not generally addressed as "sir".

Should I call sir or name?

No. You shouldn't call him by his name. He is senior to you and in a respectable position in your office. So you should call him Sir.

Should I call my boss sir?

More About First Names

But there is not unanimous agreement about this. Jodi Glickman, writing in the Harvard Business Review, believes that addressing your boss as "Mr." or "Ms" or using "Sir" or "Ma'am,” makes you come off as someone not sure of themselves or willing to assume a subservient relationship.

What does yes sir mean in text?

Interjection. yessir. (informal or military) Used to express assent, especially to a male superior. (informal) Used to express emphatic affirmation.

What does yes sir meaning in English?

/ˈjesər/, /ˈjessɜːr/ (informal, especially North American English) ​used to emphasize your opinion or say that you agree very strongly. Yessir, she was beautiful.

Is Sir a slang word?

Sir is a respectful term used to address a man. Sir is especially likely to be used to refer to a person of higher rank or authority.

What is female version of Sir?

Additionally, since the late modern period, Sir has been used as a respectful way to address a man of superior social status or military rank. Equivalent terms of address for women are Madam (shortened to Ma'am), in addition to social honorifics such as Mrs, Ms or Miss.

What is female sir?

Sir, although originally signifying knighthood, has evolved into a modern honorific which is simply used to address a man in a polite/respectful way. Madam is the female equivalent, which is the full form of the contraction ma'am. It originated from the French term madame, which means "my lady".

How do soldiers say yes?

“Roger that”

The meaning evolved until “roger” meant “yes.” Today, the NATO phonetic alphabet says, “Romeo,” in place of R, but “roger” is still used to mean a message was received.

Why we should not say sir?

Calling one's boss by name or even answering him or her without the suffix sir/madam at the end is considered a sign of disrespect.

Who can be called sir?

The honour of knighthood comes from medieval times, as does the way used to award the knighthood - the touch of a sword by the King or Queen. Men who receive this honour are given the title Sir, while women receiving the honour are called Dame. The award is given for an exceptional achievement in any activity.

When should I use sir?

'Sir' is not a rank or office. But it is an honorific used in oral and written address of a British knight: Sir Paul (Paul McCartney), Sir Elton (Elton John).

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Where did yes sir and yes ma'am come from?

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.

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