mamsir
English edit
Etymology edit
Noun edit
mamsir (plural mamsirs)
- (Philippines) A respectful term of address to an adult, especially if their name is unknown.
Usage notes edit
- In Philippine English, often used instead of ma'am or sir, even when the person's gender is unambiguous. Commonly used in the service industry when addressing customers or clients.
References edit
- Benitez, Nuria Inez (May 2022) Does ‘x’ Mark The Spot?: Negotiating Filipino/a/x Identities Online in the Philippines and the Diaspora (Thesis), Haverford College, page 31: “An example of this is mamsir/mamser, a portmanteau of “ma’am” and “sir”, said as a single word to address individuals, usually strangers, in the Philippines. Mamsir is used very commonly, even in situations where a person’s gender may be unambiguous, often used instead of “ma’am” or “sir”.”
- McCusker, Carolyn, Cohen, Rhaina (2021 April 25) “Tower Of Babble: Nonnative Speakers Navigate The World Of 'Good' And 'Bad' English”, in NPR.org[1], retrieved 21 September 2022
Tagalog edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From English ma'am + English sir.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
mamsir (Baybayin spelling ᜋᜋ᜔ᜐᜒᜇ᜔)
- (informal) mamsir
- Bili na po kayo ng ispageti namin, mga mamsir!
- Please go buy our spaghetti, mamsirs!