Little Miss Annoyed.

[brdgt]

OK moms of daughters, in particular, but everyone else too. Is it just me or is calling little girls "Miss [first name]" really weird. Please correct me so I can be less cranky. Or agree with me so I can feel righteous. Whatevs.

Comments

[mizrobot]

I've never heard the third person usage you describe but my mom STILL calls me Miss Maggie to this day sometimes (or rather, Ms. Maggie, since she is a feminist). I don't think it is supposed to mean anything; the alliteration just sounds nice. She called my sister "Little Bit" for some reason.

[brdgt.livejournal.com]

I can get behind the "Ms." - I feel like that would be a better habit to get kids into than the Miss./Mr./Mrs. one.

[h-loves-c.livejournal.com]

I definitely use "Ms." when referring to adult women while speaking to children. That's how I introduce adult women to Miette - "This is Ms. Collins." I don't give her permission to refer to any adult by their given name unless that adult invites her to do it. And I introduce myself to other children as "Ms. Crawford" unless we have a fairly familiar relationship; then they call me Miss Heather. (My Girl Scouts call me Miss Heather, for instance.)

"Miss + First Name" is appropriate, I feel, for female children. (Though I do not say "Master + First Name" for male children. That just sounds dumb.) "Miss + First Name" for adult women is something that connotes a close relationship, a familiar relationship.