Why do published letters to "The Economist" begin with "SIR"?

It’s traditional…

It’s because the people are writing letters to the Editor, John Micklethwait.
If the Editor were a woman, the letters would be addressed MADAM

Has there been a woman editor of The Economist, fireside?
GA

Hmm, dunno. that’s a great question, chica.

I can positively say that I am almost sure that there doesn’t appear to have been one between 1997 and 2008, if my hypothesis of them using MADAM is correct, maybe.

Search using Sir

Search using Madam

so you’re positive that you’re almost sure that the answer is no, maybe?

<——is confused

yes, no. i think.

why are there three answers to only one question? :(

only one answer
yes, the answer is no, to the best of my knowledge : )

Aha! So, if there’s never been a woman (I also searched and didn’t find any evidence that there had been one), then we have no conclusive evidence as to what the protocol would be, were a woman to hold the title of editor-in-chief.

But it does seem quite obvious that if you’re writing a letter to the editor, and it’s a man, you would address it to “sir”. Mystery solved! Drinks all around!

(oh wait, this isn’t a bar, it’s the internet, and i’m supposed to be finishing a lab right now)

sounds like you’ve been drinking out of the beakers again, chica

those microsoft excel beakers will get you everytime