We call them with an honorific title or name when we address someone. Suppose you address a person in a grocery store. You call them “sir.” You can also proceed by calling someone by their last name, such as “Doctor,” and by profession, such as “teacher.”
In this modern era still, people call their kings and queens such titles “His Majesty,” “My Highness,” or “My Lord.” However, now you can hardly find people calling my liege, but my lord is still very common in courts. My lord and my liege were both used before the 15th century. You can use these terms in the feudal system to address the person superior to you. My liege is considered an archaic word. It was common in Shakespeare plays and stories. In feudal times people addressed their masters as my liege, and the barons addressed their kings as His Majesty or my liege.
The Concept Behind Using “My Liege”
In a stratified feudal system, my liege describes the relationship between 2 or more two individuals belonging to a different status. There was a strong bond between the inhabitants of the feudal system and overlords. The overlords were lords of other states, and they protected their tenants. Therefore tenants call them “my liege.” The feudal system has gone, and people don’t use the words my liege. However, these are still common for sarcasm. People use “my liege” when a person demands ways too much of you. For laugh and sarcasm, people use the word my liege.
What is the origin of “My liege”?
The term “my liege” was first used in the 14th century in England. Moreover, England operates under a feudal system in those times. Feudalism divides society into different classes of landowners and peasants. In addition, every type of people except the king or ruler would owe allegiance to a superior style, calling their superiors “my liege.” In addition, when a farmer lived on a knight’s land, they used to work the fields, give them a significant portion of their crop, and pay taxes in exchange for a place to live and protection. Knights owed their martial abilities to their lord.
Lords owed taxes and soldiers to the king. The king is on the top, or they might have owed their resources and armies to an emperor. The people had to serve their liege; otherwise, they had to face severe punishments. Thank God feudalism has wholly disappeared from the world, which means you do not have to face imprisonment for not calling your landlord “my liege.” In addition, “my liege” has often been used in Shakespeare’s plays, and it has shown up in different books, games, sports, movies, and other forms of entertainment and literature.
How To Use The Term “My Liege”?
People use the term “my liege” to express sarcasm or make some laugh nowadays. Moreover, people do not use this term formally as it was supposed to. However, you can still use this term if someone is bothering you too much, then you can call them “my liege” to show that they are being a bit bossy. In addition, this term is best for everyday use or when there is a friendly relationship between two people. Moreover, you must not use this term with strangers, at work, or in any mature setting. If you call your boss “my liege,” they may assume that you’re making fun of them. Bosses do not like sarcastic employees, so using such a term may create unnecessary problems.
However, there is a chance that many older people do not understand this term, but if they do, they will mind it. I suggest that you should not use the term “my liege” with a person you are not comfortable with because ancient people used this term in feudal times. In addition, nowadays, people don’t know the meaning of this term because nobody uses this term.
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In Term Of Making Someone Laugh
Suppose when two friends are sitting together to watch a movie:
Lilly: Hey Lora, let’s watch a movie together but before sitting past me, the ice cream and a pillow. Please also bring popcorn for me
Lora: wow! Amazing, you want me to do everything for you? Sure, “my liege,” I will get that, and also please let me know if you need anything else.
In this example, both friends shared a silly act and laughed to enjoy their movie time. These can be used only with friends or family, but if you use these words at your office place. Your boss may consider that you are being sarcastic at the office, and it causes problems for you.
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In Courts To Address Judges
People use the word “my lord” in court to address judges. Judges in courts are highly responsible, and they protect the people for their legal rights. Their nobility and responsibility demand decorum and respect, and the people from civilized society call them dignified titles such as “my lord.”
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In Term Of Addressing Someone Respectfully
In feudal times, the feudal vassals would address their feudal superiors by using the term “My liege.” Moreover, the peasants would address the noble as “my liege.” A baron would call the king “my liege.” However, people don’t use this term anymore. But they may still jokingly call each other “my liege” to be ironic or a humorous amount of respect. It’s ridiculous and funny because this term has gone now and is not common at all.
What Does The Word “My Lord” Mean?
“My lord” is a polite way of addressing bishops, judges, and noblemen. You can use this term only for the judges and noblemen. People around the globe are familiar with this term. In addition, we all have heard the term “my lord” quite often. Many people had used this term for their kings or lords in feudal times. The kings did like this term a lot. Moreover, they would even punish people who didn’t address them by using this term. You can use this term for all noblemen and especially for judges. This term indicates that the person in front of you is noble and deserves respect. People addressed their kings using “My Lord,” but they only use this term specifically for noblemen nowadays. In addition, “My lord” means rich or nobleman.
The Usage Of Term “My liege” And “My Lord” In The 20th Century
In the 20th century, it started to be used jokingly at different points. The more the people began to remember the phrase, the more they began to utilize it to make their friends smile or show their disagreement with a superior’s overbearing demands.
Summary
“My lord” and “My liege” are not the same terms. Your liege is someone to whom you owe allegiance. If your liege asks you to fight for them, you must have to fight. Moreover, you must be willing to sacrifice your life if necessary for your liege. A lord is someone to whom you owe respect but not life. The mayor of your country can be your lord; however, the king or queen of your country is your liege. In addition, people use “My lord” for someone having powers or authority.
