This paper is a psycho-analytical study of a philological problem—that of elucidating the mechanisms underlying the transitions that have taken place in the formal singular form of address in the German language. From mediæval until modern times this has changed according to the scheme: Du bist—Ihr seid—Er ist—Sie sind. The author suggests that this final obliqueness in the form of personal address has been a development for the purpose of protecting the 'personal nucleus' (which is threatened by manifold forces in various cultures and periods) from castration anxiety.