ladies and gentlemen

== English == === Etymology === Around 1750, the form gentlemen and ladies was more common, but from 1770 the ladies-first word order predominates. === Pronunciation === === Noun === ladies and gentlemen pl (plural only) Used as a vocative to address an audience. (rare and euphemistic) Public toilets: a ladies' room and a gentlemen's room. ==== Usage notes ==== When addressing an audience of all one gender, a speaker would typically use ladies (to women) or gentlemen (to men) instead. Infrequently, speakers may extend the form if other groups are in the audience; for example, "ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls!". Additions such as "ladies and gentlemen, honored guests" or "ladies and gentlemen, dear friends" may be used to include people who identify as neither men nor women. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== Appendix:Special uses of possessives in English === References ===