<P> Master was used in England for men of some rank, especially "free masters" of a trade guild and by any manual worker or servant employee addressing his employer (his master), but also generally by those lower in status to gentlemen, priests, or scholars . In the Elizabethan period, it was used between equals, especially to a group ("My masters"), mainly by urban artisans and tradespeople . It was later extended to all respectable men and was the forerunner of Mister . </P> <P> After its replacement in common speech by Mister, Master was retained as a form of address only for boys who have not yet entered society . By the late 19th century, etiquette dictated that men be addressed as Mister, and boys as Master . </P> <P> The use of Master as a prefixed title was, according to Leslie Dunkling, "until recently...a way of addressing politely a boy who was too young to be called' Mister' ." It was used as a title for the eldest son only; younger sons had no form of address . </P> <P> Master is used sometimes, especially up to circa late - 19th century, especially in the UK to describe the male head of a large estate or household who employs domestic workers . </P>

What's the difference between master and mr