Why do some writers address someone as Lord M.?

It’s a Victorian convention. Sometimes in old novels, the year is listed as 18__ or a street as S__ Street.

I had thought it was to avoid the faux pas of actually naming someone who might have existed.

Yes, I think there is an element of that; basically they are highlighting that it is fiction.

You have to be a “woman of a certain age” to understand these old Victorianisms.

Thank you, kindly.

@elbanditoroso Or a teacher of Victorian literature actually.

@Petticoatbetty GQ. I learned something today. I thought it was addressed at famous people, like if I said Sir Paul most people would think of McCartney.

For some reason Lord M sounds fitting. .

@Araphel Your Lord M? Yeah, that is.

Some authors also did it to allow the reader to come up with a name for a character themselves. A peculiar mechanic often saved for minor characters who may really have nothing to impart to the plot – and if they do it’s usually a small role like being a murder victim – but show up repeatedly.