English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. Join them; it only takes a minute:

Sign up
Here's how it works:
  1. Anybody can ask a question
  2. Anybody can answer
  3. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top

I know that Mr. is short for Mister and Ms. is short for Miss. Is there any comparable way to abbreviate "Master" that is distinguishable from Mister? Or would it just be Mr. again?

share|improve this question
2  
"Ms" is not short for "Miss". "Ms" is used to indicate *either "Miss" or "Mrs" or a female of unspecified status. – TrevorD Apr 21 at 0:16
1  
Do you mean "Master" as referring to a young boy, or referring to a title such as "Master of Arts". The former usage is not now common in BrE, and I can't remember how it was abbreviated when I was that age (too long ago!). I suggest writing it in full. – TrevorD Apr 21 at 0:19
    
Why do you need to abbreviate Master? What's it for? – Mari-Lou A Apr 21 at 6:16
up vote 5 down vote accepted

Some airlines' tickets/boarding-passes use MSTR, e.g. from this travel website ...

MISS = Girl under 12 years,
MSTR = Boy under 12years,
INF = Under 2 years.
Please advise in special request, if you have flexible date

EDIT:
At one time at least, according to Wikipedia:

"Mstr" is [...] a prefix for boys on the UK Passport Service online application form. — Wikipedia

... however when I checked the UK website today, its current online form has a selection option with Master rather than Mstr! Note: the title does not appear on actual passport document, to avoid confusion I guess!

share|improve this answer
2  
"the title does not appear on actual passport document, to avoid confusion I guess": HM Passport office only prints professional or honorary titles such as Doctor or Professor or Sir in the passport (in full, not abbreviated), and only on the Official Observations page. Otherwise the title is omitted. If a person has a title and does not use his name (e.g., the Duke of Argyll), then only the title is printed. – Calchas Apr 21 at 13:39

Assuming you're not referring to an academic "Master" of some sort, but rather the honorific you might apply to a child before they turn 18 and gain the Mr. or Miss/Ms./Mrs. title, Master should be used in its entirety without abbreviation.

share|improve this answer
1  
This is a comment (with which I agree) but not an answer to the question. – Mazura Apr 21 at 1:09
    
@Mazura How is it not an answer? The OP asks for an abbreviation, and this answer says there isn't one. That's a perfectly acceptable answer. – Mitch Apr 22 at 16:10
    
@Mitch - It doesn't say there isn't one. It says you shouldn't use it; without citing a manual of style. – Mazura Apr 22 at 21:49

I'd suggest, M. (to be distinguished from M, which stands for Monsieur)

Master

Abbr. M.

a. Used formerly as a title for a man holding a naval office ranking next below a lieutenant on a warship.

b. Used as a title for a man who serves as the head or presiding officer of certain societies, clubs, orders, or institutions.

c. Used as a title for any of various male officers having specified duties concerning the management of the British royal household.

d. Used as a courtesy title before the given or full name of a boy not considered old enough to be addressed as Mister.

e. Archaic Used as a form of address for a man; mister.

American Heritage® Dictionary

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.