Why are women called "gentlemen" instead of "ladies"?

The early meaning of the word "sir" refers to father, brother and elder. During the Warring States period, the meaning of "Mr." expanded, and people called older learned people "Mr." This usage has been used since the Warring States period.

In modern times, some progressive ladies have gone out of the boudoir, left their homes and even went abroad to study scientific knowledge. Their knowledge, wisdom and contribution to society have been respected by people. Therefore, people also call a well-educated and respected woman "Mr".

This kind of address is now an elegant address in the cultural circle, and it is also based on the tradition of honoring learned people for thousands of years, and is not limited to men and women. In a sense, with the continuous improvement of women's status, intellectual women emerge one after another. Addressing well-educated and respected women with "Mr" is the product of equality of rights between men and women and the expression of social progress.

In ancient feudal society, "men are superior to women", so it was called "Mr", in order to improve the social status of this woman, raise their status to the same height as ancient men, and make them "men are superior to women". This is also the main reason why some ancient women were called "gentlemen".

Extended data:

Lady is a kind of address that people call a lady, which has different meanings according to different times. In the old society, a storyteller could be called Miss, and a fortune teller could be called Miss. Modern ladies are honorifics for respected women and women who have made outstanding contributions. For example, Mr Soong Ching Ling, Mr Bing Xin and Mr Jiang Yang.

Some female writers or celebrities are called "gentlemen" because of their original derivative meanings, that is, "scholars", "predecessors" and "honorable persons", such as Mr. Li Qingzhao, Mr. Soong Ching Ling, Mr. Jiang Yang, Mr. Bing Xin, Mr. Zhang Ailing and Mr. Xu Guangping.

References:

Baidu encyclopedia-female gentleman