http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/ma...t.html?mcubz=3
In German, I imagine that Frau stands for Queen, so all women are reverently addressed to as Queens. My kids already mentioned the peculiarity of it, so I imparted my wisdom to them (as usual).
I use Ms. for women if I have to at all, or first names. As Edot and others say, why should a woman's marital status be involved when a man's doesn't? As for how it came to be:
I've been using Ms, and I agree that marital status should be irrelevant.
Thanks all for your advice.
Same in German where Fräulein is no longer used, it's just Herr or Frau regardless of marital status.
It's not short for anything, just a more neutral adaptation of the previous short titles. Normally pronounced like muzz with the U sound almost non-existent.
It's worth remembering that even in my lifetime there was another form of address for young men and boys, Master, which was more an age thing, possibly related to 18th or 21st birthday, but not related to marital status. It was not that uncommon when I was young, but I think had almost completely disappeared by the 1980s. Miss will soon follow suit, I'm sure.
When I write an e-mail I always treat it as a letter, writing dear .... and signing off informally or formally as required.
To any non English native speakers: never, ever, begin with "Hi All"
Ideally, contact a colleague of theirs to find out how they prefer to be addressed. If you already have an email from them, be guided by how they signed it. If I receive an email signed with a first name, I would use that in the reply.
If neither of these options is available to you, I would stick with Ms, or Frau if that seems more appropriate.
I don't believe Ms is short for anything. It's just a way to address awoman without regard to marital status. Pronounced Mizz, rhymes with fizz.
I use it because I kept my family name after marriage. But I'm not offended when people call me Mrs, Frau, Madame. I'm a bit long in the tooth for chick or yo babe, however.
I use Mr or Ms, hate Mrs and Miss even though I've been both. If I have no clue I go with the classic Dear Sir/Madam.
I end Yours sincerely/faithfully (depending, of course, how I begin) as this is the formal standard. But if replying to an email I take my cue from their sign off, apart from the guy who we get our kiln-dried wood from who once inadvertently signed one of his delivery notes with a X. Poor man was mortified.
Just Regards, Sincerely, Faithfully etc can work too but they're less formal.
I do use Kind or Best Regards a lot because it seems to have become common in the UK over the past few years.
It depends on how formal the e-mail, but I tend to be addressed as Miss.
After the second or third, I become plain old Jane.
I don't mind either.
If they are married;
"Now then, Missus," If they're single and young;
"Now then, lass," If they're single and older;
"Now then, old lass," If you're unsure
"Now then, love," HTH