Why does the spelling of Mrs. include an R?
In short: If you pronounce the title as 'missus', the letter R seems entirely out of place. This video explores the linguistic evolution of the abbreviation and its original meaning.
The abbreviation 'Mrs.' emerged in the late 16th century as a shorthand for 'mistress'. At that time, the word did not carry its modern negative connotation of an extramarital partner. Instead, it served as the feminine counterpart to 'master', derived from the Old French 'maistresse', meaning 'female master'.
The roots of the word go back even further; 'mistress' appeared in English during the 14th century, originally used to describe a governess or female teacher.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Why is There an R in "Mrs" When It's Pronounced "Misses"?
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