[Grammar] Sir (singular) and Sirs (plural)

[mamen]

Teachers,

Is it correct to say "sirs" if you refer to two teachers?
If you see two teachers, is it correct to say, "Good morning, sirs."?

 

[MikeNewYork]

If they are both males, yes.

 

[mamen]

I told my friends that it is right to use "sirs" if you see two teachers (both males). And it also correct to say "Good morning, sirs." But, they really don't believe me. They say that it is incorrect. Is there any rule/s regarding this matter?

Thanks in advance.

 

[MikeNewYork]

No rules. Personal preference. You could also say teachers.

 

[Rover_KE]

There is no rule, mamen. Show this thread to your friends and tell them that native speakers of British and American English consider it to be completely natural usage.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Mamen, I went to a Catholic high school. The teachers were priests and were called "Father". If I met two or more of them on the street, I would say "Hello, Fathers". It is basically the same.

 

[Tdol]

I went to a school where we used sirs for more than one teacher.

 

[emsr2d2]

I count myself lucky to have never attended a school or been in a job where I was expected/required to refer to anyone as "Sir" (or "Madam/Ma'am"). I have always referred to teachers and colleagues by name.

 

[Eckaslike]

We had to call our teachers by their title and surname. e.g. "Good morning Mr. Ravenscroft", "Good morning Mrs. Reece", "Good morning Dr. Chin". Most teachers would speak to pupils by using their first names.

We might say to one teacher "Good morning sir", but if there were more than one we would probably use the forms mentioned above. I don't have a problem with using "sirs", if it works in that culture or particular school.

However, well do I remember the miraculous event on my first day in sixth form, where one teacher in particular went from calling us by surname to using our forenames instead.