ma English · revision 4180

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1823}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /mɑː/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a childish and colloquial clipping of [[mamma]], mama.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(AHD 2000)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Mother”: 1823 in Etymonline and the OED,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) 1829 in Merriam-Webster.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is also applied colloquially to a middle-aged or elderly woman, especially one in authority,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and used in addressing such a woman, or before a married woman's surname, as in ''Ma Purkiss''.^(SOED 2002) The OED notes that it is now often ridiculed as vulgar.^(OED 1989) The ''ma-and-pa'' shop, a small family business, is chiefly American, recorded from 1973 in the OED's supplement.^(OED 1989) In Australia the Ma State is a popular name for New South Wales, from 1934.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1823 – mother.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1934 – New South Wales, the Ma State.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1973 – ''ma-and-pa''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(informal)'' [[Mother]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(informal)'' A form of address or title for an older woman.^(SOED 2002)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mama]]

+ * [[mamma]]

+ * [[mom]]

+ * [[mum]]

+ * [[pa]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The abbreviation MA stands for Master of Arts and for Massachusetts.^(SOED 2002)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}