courtesy title

A courtesy title is a form of address that is commonly accepted without official right. These titles, also known as honorifics, can be used in various ways. For instance, in the United Kingdom, certain relatives of British peers might use a courtesy title like "Lord". Another common use is for teachers, who may be addressed as "Professor".1

The pluralization of common courtesy titles like "Mr." and "Mrs." can be complex. "Mr." is derived from "master," and its plural is "Messrs." (borrowed from the French "Monsieur"). "Mrs." is derived from "mistress," and its plural is "Mmes." (borrowed from the French "Madame"). Other honorifics, like "Dr.," can be pluralized with a standard "-s" to become "Drs.". The title "Honourable" is used in the UK, Commonwealth, and US, signifying worthiness of honor, and its application has evolved over time, often tied to precedence and official roles.23