First gentleman? Mr President? What to call Bill if Hillary Clinton wins the race to the White House?

Hillary Clinton’s possible election next week to America’s highest office has raised a sticky question: What’s the best way to refer to the president’s male spouse?

There have only ever been male presidents in the United States with female spouses. One president, James Buchanan, remained a lifelong bachelor. Bill Clinton poses a special dilemma – not only he would be the first male presidential spouse, but also the first former president to return to the White House as a spouse. The former Arkansas governor was elected president in 1992 and again in 1996, serving eight years in office.

It is common to use the honorific “president” to anyone who has served in the post, even after they leave office. But if the prognosticators are correct, and Hillary Clinton wins the presidency, then Bill Clinton can no longer be referred to as President Clinton after his wife’s inauguration in January without creating massive confusion.

Lisa Grotts, a certified etiquette expert, said that the dilemma of how to address a male spouse has been dealt with at the state level, which may, or may not, provide a road map.

“In the US, we have six female governors, and their husbands unofficially go by First Gentleman. But there are no rules for presidential spouses,” she said. “Once a president, always a president and that will always be his title for life,” she said.