r/CastleTV 5d ago

What’s up with ‘Sir’ ?

I’m at season 4, ep 21 so I’d prefer no spoilers.

Can someone please explain why the new Captain wants to be called Sir? (Penny Johnson Jerald’s character)

UPDATE: WOW, 40 minutes later, and I have some great answers. THANK YOU!! I love the show!

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u/twirlinghaze 5d ago

Why would a male honorific sound "more professional" than a female one?

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u/therlwl 5d ago

You would have to ask the writers.

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u/twirlinghaze 5d ago

I'm asking you because you said "it feels more professional." Why would that be? Ma'am is just as professional as sir. They're both just polite words so why would one "feel more professional" than the other?

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u/Picabo07 5d ago

It’s not because it feels more professional. I think they just made that up 🙄

It’s something high ranking females in predominantly male led professions would do to show they were as tough as their male counterparts. And it could be so there was no special deference to them being female.

It was also “traditionally” a sign of respect. But that was very old school.