Madam
Madam /ˈmædəm/, or, as French, madame /ˈmædəm/ or /məˈdɑːm/, is a polite form of address for women, often contracted to ma'am /ˈmæm/. The abbreviation is "Mme" or "Mme" and the plural is mesdames (abbreviated "Mmes" or "Mmes"). The term was borrowed from the French madame (French pronunciation: [maˈdam]), which means "my lady".
In speaking, Madam is used in direct address when the lady's name is not known; for example: May I help you, madam? The male equivalent is "sir".
After addressing her as "Your Majesty" once, it is correct to address the Queen of the United Kingdom as "Ma'am" for the remainder of a conversation.
In 2009 the European Parliament issued guidance on the use of gender-neutral language which discouraged the use of terms which indicate a woman's marital status.
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