no ma'am
Respectful feminine negative
No ma'am is a polite negative response to a woman, the feminine counterpart of "no sir." It's standard in Southern American English and military contexts, where addressing elders or superiors with yes ma'am and no ma'am signals respect.
Outside these contexts, it can sound overly formal or old-fashioned: No ma'am, I haven't seen your dog.
- respectRegard with honor
- politeShowing good manners
- good mannersSocially acceptable conduct
- refusalAct of declining
- declineDecrease or refuse
southern · southern belle · manners · proper etiquette · mind your manners · formal · courtesy · etiquette · negative · denial · gentleman · lady · home training · military · military brat · obedience · deference · drawl