Master

[Jackdaw33]

I was in the surgery this morning when a man came in with his toddler. When it flashed up on the screen the lad was described as Master... This got me thinking. When I was young any mail (usually birthday cards) was addressed to Master Jackdaw. Is this still in common usage? At what point does a Master become a Mr? As Mister is merely a corruption of master what is the difference anyway?

[Buenchico]

I have used 'Master' to address correspondence to youngsters in the past but I now see little point.

For example, I used to address mail to an adult as to 'Mr J Smith' (or 'J. Smith, Esq') but now I'll probably just put 'John Smith'. Since I no longer use a title for his father, it seems illogical to use one for a child.

Debrett makes no mention of forms of address for children but I note that omitting any form of title (on an envelope) for an adult is now considered to be acceptable:
http://www.debretts.com/forms-address/titles/untitled-men
(It would thus seem to follow that no title is now required when sending correspondence to a child).

Possibly also relevant:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_%28form_of_address%29

[Mamyalynne]

I tend only to do it on Birthday cards now, they love it because it sounds so grand.

[woofgang]

I still use titles on the envelope of real mail if I know what the proper title is.

[Canary42]

Mrs Bates is relieved that her son is no longer addressed as Master.

[lankeela]

Beat me to it Canary!

[woofgang]

That used to be a game on "I'm sorry I Haven't a Clue" (Late Arrivals)

[Canary42]

I remember that woofgang - one that stuck in my memory was Mr and Mrs Wallcarpeting and their son Walter ..........

[woofgang]

many many years ago I tried listening to it in the car and i had to turn it off as I wasn't safe to drive!

[Old_Geezer]

I would've assumed, on reaching adult age. Presently 18 in the UK.

[woofgang]

Its just occurred to me that the computer program involved may have a box that requires a title to be entered or selected.

[Cloverjo]

Like Mamya, I put Master on my nephews' birthday cards because it sounds grand. I think about age 16 is the upper limit. They tend to prefer Mr after that.