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From: RTansey959< >
Subject: Re: Esquire
Date: 30 Jan 2000 06:00:40 GMT


>Subject: Re: Esquire
>From: "John P. DuLong"
>Date: 01/29/2000 6:16 PM Pacific Standard Time
>Message-id: <8aNk4.13222$>
>
>I know that members of the Society of Colonial Wars often use Esq. after
>their names to indicate that they are gentlemen. I wonder if members of
>other hereditary societies follow a similar custom.


In the US, it is customary for those who have passed the Bar to append, "Esq."
to their name and attorneys who have passed the Bar should be addressed this
way. (It's roughly akin to calling a medical doctor, "Dr.") If others, such
as members of colonial societies add "Esq.," they mistakenly give the
impression that they are attorneys and members of their State Bar.

In England, where I used to live, I was told that a young man might be
addressed as "Master," as in "Master John Smith." When he reached adulthood,
"Esq." would be added after his name.

Both the American and British usage obviously come from the squire of a knight,
the meaning in England being simply that of a gentleman. Which is why my
British friends were continually amused at female American attorneys who were,
"esquires."

Yours, Roger Tansey, Esq.*

*in the American sense. I'd never use "Esquire" in England, as it seems being
a gentleman is something others should tell you; not the other way around. :-)

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