[8][9][10][11] Madam Secretary is a formal form of address for a female member of the United States Cabinet;[12][13] a female Attorney General of the United States is formally addressed Madam Attorney General.
In 1980, the title was dropped in "to avoid the awkward appellation 'Madam Justice'" in anticipation of a woman joining the court.
[18] Plaques on chamber doorways reading "Mr. Justice" were removed after Sandra Day O'Connor joined the court in 1981.
[10] In the courts of England and Wales, a magistrate is addressed as "Your Worship" or "Sir" (if male) or 'Madam' (if female).
[24][25] Others dislike the term for other reasons, such as the distance it created between the speaker and the person addressed; the "whiff of class distinctions" implied; and "dismissive, stiff and drab" associations.
[25] Martin writes that Madam (or Ma'am) and Sir are "all-purpose titles for direct address, as a foolproof way of conveying the respect due to people whose names escape you.
[25] "Ma'am" is commonly used as a verbal address for female officers of inspector and higher ranks in British police forces.
[28] The use of sir and ma'am as forms of address for superiors are common in the United States armed forces.
[29] U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force regulations state that ma'am is an appropriate greeting for junior personnel when rendering a hand salute to a female superior.