Misters

Mister, abbreviated Mr., is an English honorific used before the surname or full name of a man. The same word also refers to a device that dispenses a fine spray. These senses are unrelated beyond spelling, but they share the common English term “mister.”

As a courtesy title, Mr. is used for adult men in both formal and informal contexts. It appears before surnames (Mr. Smith) or full names (Mr. John Smith) and is typically used in writing and speech. The form originated from Master, a title used for men of authority or status. The abbreviation Mr. emerged in Early Modern English and became standard in the 17th century. In many English-speaking countries, it remains the default address for adult men; the corresponding female forms are Mrs., Ms., and Miss. The use of titles can vary by region and social context, with some institutions opting for more neutral forms.

As a device, a mister is a sprayer that releases a fine mist of liquid. Misters are used to humidify air in homes or offices, to cool spaces, and to apply pesticides or nutrients in agriculture and horticulture. In greenhouses and landscape maintenance, misting systems can create controlled moisture and fog-like conditions. Handheld misters, pump sprayers, and fixed nozzle systems are common varieties, with performance depending on droplet size, pressure, and nozzle design.

Historically, the two senses of mister evolved independently, sharing only a common spelling. The term illustrates how English vocabulary can expand into distinct domains—from social etiquette to practical equipment—while retaining a single written form.