sirrah

Sirrah is an archaic English term that was formerly used to address a person, often one of inferior social standing. Its usage dates back to the 16th century. The origin of the word is uncertain, though some etymologists suggest it may have derived from a proper name or an animal sound.

Historically, sirrah was commonly employed by masters speaking to servants, parents to children, or superiors to inferiors. It carried a tone of authority, condescension, or sometimes even familiarity, depending on the context. It could be used in a neutral manner to simply get someone's attention, or it could be used pejoratively to express displeasure or contempt.

The use of sirrah declined significantly by the 19th century, as social norms and language evolved. Today, it is considered obsolete and is rarely encountered in modern English speech or writing, except perhaps in historical literature or as a deliberate archaism for stylistic effect. Its infrequent appearance means that many contemporary English speakers would not readily recognize its meaning or historical usage without explanation.