> So here's the rule:
>
> When addressing a knight directly, you address him as "Sir (First Name)", as
> in "How are you today, Sir Stirling?"
>
> When referring to him in the third person, you would say "Sir (First Name)
> (Last Name)", as in "I heard that Sir Stirling Moss is appearing in Madison
> in a few weeks."
>
> You would never refer to him as "Sir Moss."
>
> "Sir" is still used as a general term of deference in the UK, although it
> would not be associated with anyone's first name unless they were a Knight.
> Thus, it would be correct for the shop assistant (clerk) to say "May I help
> you, sir?" but not "May I help you Sir Randall?", because you are not a
> Knight.
Thanks, Michael, that actually is quite clear, even to me.
Randall Y
(who always wonders if anyone who calls him 'Sir' is joking ...)
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