The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-12-24
SOCIETY.
prefixes to Names.

# is really a curious system that We
have here and in every other place Of
uniting a prefix, in order to be polite
or as an act of courtesy, to the name
of the person whom we greatly esteem
or who is connected with us by the
bonds of friendship, says the Mexican
Herald. This custom plainly demon
strates the curious existing social re-
lations. for is there any reason why
neopIe should not be called by their
names alone? And, if it is considered
proof of respect, whence comes that
respect?
Why should we use the prefix Don, "
Sonora" or "Senorita," then, as a
matter of necessity?
The most humble Roman, even If he
were slave, whether he was address
ing a good friend of his or whether
he bowed with respect before the
great Caesar, would have not thought
II necessary to use any prefix what
ever in order to perform his duty, and
at that time it would not have been
considered an act of discourtesy to-
ward his superior.
During the time Of the Roman en-
perors it was considered an act of per-
sonal respect to use the word "doml-
nus" (head of the house, According
to Suctonius, Emperor Claudius, de-
srous of becoming popular, offered
banauets to the masses, that is to say
m the lower classes, and in order to
inspire confidence among the invited
guests and to show them that he con-
sidered them his equals, he would
shake hands with every person VINO
arrived and call him "dominus, or
mister, but the custom was not estao-
lished as a general rule, because
"dominus" had another meaning, al
thought the poets would use 1t in its
feminine gender, domino" as an en-
dearing name among lovers.
The modern use of "dominus" did
not appear until the western empire
came to an end. What until then had
been casual tribute of respect be-
came necessary in order to address
persons of high rank, and lady,wife
of a knight, or wife of the owner OF
a castle, became inca domina, ana
lastly madame" The young I'M
married women of the middle ages
received the name of "dominicella, );
selle,' and finally became made |
moiselle."
A knight was domino" and after {
ward DOMINO" from which the Span
ish don" is taken. But later on the
masculine and feminine gender melt
ed into one DAME" which meant '
gentleman as well as lady. That is t
why the present French exclamation il
dame" means "senor," and not
sonora" as some people suppose.
Toward the twelfth century the
word dame" as a masculine title "
began to be substituted by another, H
he Latin senior" which has survlv- d.
ID in the same form, used as "senor al
n Spanish, senior" in Portuguese, al
signor" in Italian and "seigneur" In ri
french. The same word multilated ce
lands for the French "sieur" or OF
In English it has It's ly
quiyalent in Sir which at one time ar
'as an ecclesiastical title and when ty
meant reverend" and was also ia
University title APPLIED to bachelors. wi
The "matre" of the French is an ca
which is applied to re- fel
Nectable persons who deserve re-
'ect but of low classes, as, for ex- wi
mhe, in Spanish it is said Senior 20
epe' to an individual who is respect fri
but belongs to the lower class In
g old
eception at Mt. Pleasant. lrV
An elegant reception, handsome In IN
It's details, was that given Friday H.
ernoon at Mt. Pleasant by Mes sue
mes William Vance Wilson and me
Hey Lawrence Harris to compliment son
rs William Hunter Kittrell and Mrs. n
llIiam Bethel Long, recent brides. ten
lie Harris home is one Of exquisite tur
and the beauty of its fur
'l'lng interior had been enhanced gro
elaborate decorations. the
upon arrival the guests we're served coll
Sslan tea and sandwiches in the
IL which presented an attractive par