History Main / LastSecondTermOfRespect

* Occurs in one of the chapter titles in the ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'' level "The Truth and Reconciliation." The end of the level features an EscortMission where Master Chief has to safely guide Captain Keys to a designated extraction point. In the original Xbox release and its initial PC port only, the chapter title displays toward the end of the preceding cutscene only partially at first, revealing itself fully after a brief pause: Shut Up And Get Behind Me [[spoiler:...Sir]]. Lampshaded in the developer commentary.

* ''Series/{{Castle}}'': "Fool Me Once...", While discussing the fact that the VictimOfTheWeek had been running a con on little kids, Castle points back that he actually took the time to write back to each of the children for his supposed trip to the North Pole. Montgomery agrees that Castle has a point.
-->'''Beckett:''' Now who's the sucker?
-->'''Montgomery:''' (Stern Look)
-->'''Beckett:''' (realizing she just said that to her boss) Sir.
* ''Series/GilmoreGirls:'' In "They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?", Jess attempts to grab a bite from the concession stand while crashing the town's dance marathon to annoy Rory. Except it's run by Lane and her tough-as-nails AlmightyMom. Jess has a deep-seated disdain for authority, but even he's intimidated.

* ''Literature/FirstFlightTeilogy'': Nicole is furious with Kymri, one of the Halyan't'a she's working with, after he not so subtly implies that her ordeal with the wolfpack has caused her to lose her edge. "We've a full days work to do and we're not going to get it done standing around here. Sir."

--->'''Igor:''', "Yes", Sir.

-->'''Beckett:'''(realizing she just said that to her boss) Sir.

--> '''Arminius:''' Who am I to question the Emperor's wisdom? After all, you crucified two thousand Jewish rebels in the Syrian uprising, and the Emperor saw it fit to send ''you'' here. ''({{beat}})'' Sir.
--> '''Varus:''' ''(glances at him and starts chuckling)'' [[ActuallyPrettyFunny Careful, Arminius, I'm beginning to like you.]]

-->'''Frank:''' "Yes", what?
-->'''Igor:''', "Yes", Sir.
-->'''Frank:''' "Yes, Sir", what? [[note]]It's implied Frank wants Igor to address him by rank, as in "Yes, sir, Maj. Burns, sir.", but being a draftee unused to military protocol, and having already met the minimum, Igor is now confused.[[/note]]
-->'''Igor:''' "Yes, sir" yes, Sir? Three bags full?

----> '''Capt. Kirk:''' We're evacuating all colonists to Starbase 27.
----> '''Spock:''' No, I don't think so.
----> '''Capt. Kirk:''' You don't think so, WHAT?
----> '''Spock:''' I don't think so, ''SIR.''(drops communicator to continue making out)

*** "Friday's Child": Upon learning that the new baby destined to one day rule a tribe has been named Leonard James Akaar, Spock cannot help but be flabbergasted by the smugness of Kirk and [=McCoy=].

'''Reno''', as the turbolift doors close: ''Sir!'' Get off my ass, ''sir!''

[[/folder]]

* ''Series/{{MASH}}'': In one episode, [[TheNeidermeyer Frank]], who is temporarily in command of the 4077, goes on a lengthy diatribe to poor Igor about the arrangement of the food on the line in the mess tent. Igor replies, "Yes."

Contrast DontCallMeSir, where a character refuses to be addressed with fancy honorifics, titles, or formalities even when they're higher in status than those around them; and ParentheticalSwearing, where the last-second respect is technically delivered correctly but it intended to mean the exact opposite.

One of those protocols is that you address a superior as "Sir". [[Series/StarTrekVoyager "Ma'am" will do in a crunch]], or any address of title, honorific, or rank. In works of fiction this will often show up after a subordinate has gone on a rant, complained that a plan is too crazy to work, or asked if someone is out of their mind, before suddenly remembering who it is that they're talking to and throwing in the last second "Sir" to cover their posteriors. Sometimes this might be prompted by a clearing of the throat by a friend or even the authority figure being spoken to. Closely related to WithAllDueRespect. Often accompanied by a {{Beat}} before the person remembers to add it. The main difference is that, as explained in WithAllDueRespect is that typically, no actual respect is intended, whereas with Last-Second Term of Respect, the speaker is attempting to inject a degree of respect after speaking harshly or out of turn.

[[folder:Films -- Live Action]]

** Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration - In the Season 4 Episode "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS4E26S5E1Redemption Redemption]] " Data is tasked with commanding a starship that's part of a blockade keeping the Romulans out of the Klingon Civil War. His first officer is a CommanderContrarian because he believes that androids can't be ship captains. Data proves himself by going against orders and uncovers proof that the Romulans were aiding one side of the civil war. The first officer, Hobson, admits that Data is right and ends his apology (and final scene) by addressing Data as Captain.

One of those protocols is that you address a superior as "Sir". [[Series/StarTrekVoyager "Ma'am" will do in a crunch]], or any address of title, honorific, or rank. In works of fiction this will often show up after a subordinate has gone on a rant, complained that a plan is too crazy to work, or asked if someone is out of their mind, before suddenly remembering who it is that they're talking to and throwing in the last second "Sir" to cover their posteriors. Sometimes this might be prompted by a clearing of the throat by a friend or even the authority figure being spoken to. Closely related to WithAllDueRespect. Often accompanied by a {{Beat}} before the person remembers to add it. The main difference is that, as explained in WithAllDueRespect is that typically, no actual respect is intended, whereas with Last Second Term of Respect, the speaker is attempting to inject a degree of respect after speaking harshly or out of turn.

--> '''Lisa:''' I remember now! You're that loudmouthed pilot, aren't you?
--> '''Rick:''' (alarmed, points, then claps a hand over his mouth) Then you must be...
--> '''Lisa:''' (stern look) Yep!
--> '''Rick:''' (saluting) Sir!

--> '''Preston:''' Oh, no sir! Wha... this is the finest engine room in the whole Starfleet! If the Admiral can't see the facts for himself, then, [[WithAllDueRespect with all due respect]], he's as blind as a Tiberian bat!
--> '''Scotty:''' Ahem!
--> '''Preston:''' Sir!

--> '''Beckett:''' Now who's the sucker?
--> '''Montgomery:''' (Stern Look)
--> '''Beckett:'''(realizing she just said that to her boss) Sir.
* ''Series/GilmoreGirls:'' In "They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?," Jess attempts to grab a bite from the concession stand while crashing the town's dance marathon to annoy Rory. Except it's run by Lane and her tough-as-nails AlmightyMom. Jess has a deep-seated disdain for authority, but even he's intimidated.

* ''Series/{{MASH}}'': In one episode, Frank, who is temporarily in command of the 4077, goes on a lengthy diatribe to poor Igor about the arrangement of the food on the line in the mess tent. Igor replies, "Yes."
--> '''Frank:''' "Yes", what?
--> '''Igor:''', "Yes", Sir.
--> '''Frank:''' "Yes, Sir", what? [[note]]It's implied Frank wants Igor to address him by rank, as in "Yes, sir, Maj. Burns, sir.", but being a draftee unused to military protocol, and having already met the minimum, Igor is now confused.[[/note]]
--> '''Igor:''' "Yes, sir" yes, Sir? Three bags full?

--> '''Alex:''' ''TRUST ME!'' With the kind of performance you gave out there today, we don't have a ''chance'' against Dragontron! Do you realize what could happen? Do you ''care'' about the future? Have you forgotten about it '''''completely?!'''''
--> '''Katie:''' ''[exasperated]'' We haven't forgotten...!
--> ''[Alex shoots Katie a DeathGlare]''
--> '''Katie:''' ''[realizing she's spoken out-of-turn]'' ...'''''Sir.'''''

*** "The Trouble With Tribbles": Kirk asks Scotty what it was that the Klingons said that made him disobey orders and start a fist fight with them. Scotty passionately replies, "They called the Enterprise a garbage scow! Sir."
*** "Friday's Child": Upon learning that the new baby destined to one day rule a tribe is named Leonard James Akaar, Spock cannot help but be flabbergasted by the smugness of Kirk and [=McCoy=].
----> '''Spock:''' [genuinely exasperated] I think you're both going to be insufferably pleased with yourselves for at least a month. ''Sir.''

----> '''Hobson:''' They're changing course, heading back to Romulan space.
----> '''Data:''' Make a full report to the flagship. Take the main phasers offline and begin radiation clean up on the affected decks.
----> '''Hobson:''': Yes, sir, Captain.

--> '''Decepticon Mook:''' Yes sir.
--> '''Vortex:''' Yes sir, ''what?''
--> '''Decepticon Mook:''' Yes sir, ''sir?''
--> '''Vortex:''' That's more like it. Those Autobots won't know what'll hit 'em. Megatron had the ''Nemesis'' designed for maximum carnage.
--> '''Decepticon Mook:''' Yes sir, sir.

* ''Series/GilmoreGirls:'' In "They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?," Jess attempts to grab a bite from the concession stand while crashing the town's dance marathon to annoy Rory. Except it's run by Lane and her tough-as-nails EducationMama. Jess has a deep disdain for authority, but even he's intimidated.

* ''Series/GilmoreGirls:'' In "Tgey Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?," Jess attempts to grab a bite from the concession stand while crashing the town's dance marathon to annoy Rory. Except it's run by Lane and her tough-as-nails EducationMama. Jess has a deep disdain for authority, but even he's intimidated.

* ''Series/PowerRangersTimeForce'': Katie does this with Alex after he commandeers his former team leader rank (and morpher) from Wes, but his attempt to command the team and stop Frax's GiantMecha robot fails.

** Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration - [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS4E26S5E1Redemption In the Season 4 Episode "Redemption"]] Data is tasked with commanding a starship that's part of a blockade keeping the Romulans out of the Klingon Civil War. His first officer is a CommanderContrarian because he believes that androids can't be ship captains. Data proves himself by going against orders and uncovers proof that the Romulans were aiding one side of the civil war. The first officer, Hobson, admits that Data is right and ends his apology (and final scene) by addressing Data as Captain.

Contrast DontCallMeSir, where a character refuses to be addressed with fancy honorifics, titles, or formalities even when they're higher in status than those around them.