Erika Kirk:

[ahlnord]

16. Actually...

Actually, it was always "Mrs." and then her HUSBAND's first name and last name. My grandmother would always shorten it to "Mrs. Pete" or "Mrs. Tom" when speaking of her neighbors. When I read the old church cookbooks the recipes were always attributed to "Mrs. (husband's first name) (last name)". No female names in the book! Furthermore, when my husband and I welcomed our first child and wanted to place a birth announcement in the paper, they insisted that we be listed as "Mr. and Mrs. HIS NAME" only. When I insisted that MY name be included, as I was the one who had actually given birth, the newspaper said that form was used only for single, unwed mothers, and proceeded to run the announcement with my name only! This was in 1975. Back when women needed their husband's permission to get birth control. And a credit card.

"Mrs." was a title, designating "wife of." Like Duke of York is a title. There could be a string of Mrs. Tom Jones, if Tom Jones married a string of women. It was not actually the woman's NAME, just her title, or status. Therefore, I believe it was incorrect to say "Mrs. Mary Jones," although that seems to be accepted practice today. Thank goodness..