Mam vs. Sir — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Mam and Sir

Definitions

Mam➦

One's mother

My mam would have had a fit if I'd gone out dressed like that

I had to look after the other children while Mam worked

Sir➦

Sir is a formal English honourific address for men, derived from Sire in the High Middle Ages. Traditionally, as governed by law and custom, "Sir" is used for men titled as knights, i.e., of orders of chivalry, and later also applied to baronets and other offices.

Mam➦

A term of respectful or polite address used for any woman

‘You all ride them horses down here?’ ‘Yes, mam.’

Sir➦

Sir Used as an honorific before the given name or the full name of baronets and knights.

Mam➦

Mum, mom; diminutive of mother.

Sir➦

Used as a form of polite address for a man

Don't forget your hat, sir.

Mam➦

Mamma.

Sir➦

Used as a salutation in a letter

Dear Sir or Madam.

Mam➦

A member of a Mayan people of southwestern Guatemala

Sir➦

A man of a higher rank or position.

Mam➦

A Mayan language spoken by the Mam people

Sir➦

A respectful term of address to a man of higher rank or position, particularly:

Sir➦

To a knight or other low member of the peerage.

Just be careful. He gets whingy now if you don't address him as Sir John.

Sir➦

To a superior military officer.

Sir, yes sir.

Sir➦

To a teacher.

Here's my report, sir.

Sir➦

A respectful term of address to an adult male (often older), especially if his name or proper title is unknown.

Excuse me, sir, do you know the way to the art museum?

Sir➦

To address (someone) using "sir".

Sir, yes, sir!
Don't you sir me, private! I work for a living!

Sir➦

A man of social authority and dignity; a lord; a master; a gentleman; - in this sense usually spelled sire.

He was crowned lord and sire.

In the election of a sir so rare.

Sir➦

A title prefixed to the Christian name of a knight or a baronet.

Sir Horace Vere, his brother, was the principal in the active part.

Sir➦

An English rendering of the LAtin Dominus, the academical title of a bachelor of arts; - formerly colloquially, and sometimes contemptuously, applied to the clergy.

Instead of a faithful and painful teacher, they hire a Sir John, which hath better skill in playing at tables, or in keeping of a garden, than in God's word.

Sir➦

A respectful title, used in addressing a man, without being prefixed to his name; - used especially in speaking to elders or superiors; sometimes, also, used in the way of emphatic formality.