# How to refer to the president

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-refer-to-the-president/357553>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 20, 2006, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-refer-to-the-president/357553 "2006-05-20T18:52:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\
**Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-refer-to-the-president/357553/21 "2006-05-21T03:50:23Z")

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I don’t suppose “the shitstain” would be acceptable military protocol?

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**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\
**Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-refer-to-the-president/357553/22 "2006-05-21T04:20:18Z")

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> [@garygnu](#):
>
> “Mr. President” (you hear it screamed by the press at the once-in-a-blue-moon press conferences he holds)  
> I’m glad we didn’t use Washington’s first suggestion: “Your Excellency.”

I understand, as mentioned, that “His Excellency” is used in certain extremely formal circumstances, such as diplomatic ceremonies; no doubt when other presidents are being excellencied all over the place.

Incidentally, following the Hillary vs. Condi showdown in 2008, direct address will be “Madam President.”

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**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\
**Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-refer-to-the-president/357553/23 "2006-05-21T04:25:10Z")

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George II works for me.

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**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\
**Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-refer-to-the-president/357553/24 "2006-05-21T14:40:46Z")

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> [@BrainGlutton](#):
>
> I don’t suppose “the shitstain” would be acceptable military protocol?

This is still General Questions and you’re out of line.

**samclem** moderator

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**Author:** ![dflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dflower/32/3270_2.png) [@dflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dflower)\
**Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-refer-to-the-president/357553/25 "2006-05-21T21:40:24Z")

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Thank you all.  
I will be paying much more close attention to how the newcasters refer to him.

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