The word "Madame" has been borrowed for a long time in the Russian language from French. Today it is regularly used in everyday speech, but not everyone knows what it really means and when it came into use. Madame is a woman, it’s clear right away, but the story is silent about whether it is appropriate to call all the fair sex.
History of the emergence of new treatment options
Many authoritative sources agree that already in the seventeenth century the definitions of “mademoiselle” and “madame” appeared. These are the messages used to emphasize the status of a woman. Initially, these words could be used only in relation to noble ladies. If you compare French with Russian, the word "Madame" is a synonym for the word "Madame". Very quickly, a new appeal gained popularity among the landowners, the so-called wealthy owners of estates or wives of the nobles of this estate were called. But "Mademoiselle" with the light hand of Moliere, who wrote a comedy about a peasant who married the daughter of a landowner, for some time meant noble ladies who chose not quite suitable husbands. But nevertheless, over time, both appeals acquired a new meaning. Mademoiselle is a young unmarried girl, and Madame is a woman who has married a man.
Subtleties of use
Already in 1690, the Fuhreter in his dictionary indicates that special treatment can be used not only in relation to the most notable and wealthy ladies. According to him, "mademoiselle" is any young girl only if she does not come from a peasant or artisan family. There are exceptions, along with a professional definition or some kind of title you can use only "Madame". The same word applies to all women from a certain age. It is considered uncultured to call the representative of the fair sex of middle or old age “mademoiselle”, even if it is known for certain that she is not married.
Modern french etiquette
In the modern world, ancient etiquette is constantly abolished. In America, a long time ago introduced a neutral respectful appeal to all the fair sex, in European countries often use the "senior" term, regardless of the social status of the lady. Today, optionally, "Madame" is a married woman. This is the name of all the ladies, including quite young, not married. This change in etiquette has been adopted at the legislative level. However, the romantic and beautiful "mademoiselle" has not yet completely disappeared from speech and is very often used in informal conversations.