ARGH

[anomilygrace]

I can't even say how much "Madame President" when referring to a female head of state BUGS ME.

It's Madam President, thank you very much. Stop doing it wrong!

Comments

[snowywolfowl]

It is annoying actually, and potentially very insulting. I'd like to chalk it up to people not knowing the difference between the words, their literal meanings and their historical significance.

Hey, at least its becoming normal to have a female head of state now. As annoying as we might be we are evolving as a society.

[anomilygrace]

There's totally that, true, but the fact that even media outlets seem to be unaware of the vast differences between the words 'Madam' and 'Madame' makes me want to beat them with a dictionary.

The ONLY time it is acceptable to me is in French when saying 'Madame la Presidente.'.huh. My.French is rusty. Would one feminize President there?

[snowywolfowl]

Well, frankly, I don't know. You're talking to a person whose fascination with French history is perfectly counterbalanced with some horrifically bad French language skills. Somehow I don't think so, since if I remember correctly:

1. "Madame" is specifically a title for married women; and
2. If she was in a group that included even one male all the other verb conjugates (is that even correct to say it that way?) would masculineize it.

Of course, I set a record for Grade Seven French that might never be equalled...and for the sake of my poor French teacher I hope it isn't. Poor woman looked like she wanted to resign after tutoring me, and even my parents made a point of saying "she's a teacher, not a miracle worker" to the principle. French and me just didn't click.