"Yes, ma'am" is a polite way of affirming something said to a superior woman, and often used to show respect or enthusiasm.
As the father of two intelligent ladies and granddad to four smart and gorgeous gals, I realize this is the way to stay current.
Since the late 1600s, ma’am has been a contraction of madame, a formal address for a woman of superior social status. Madame, for the word-curious, is borrowed from French, in turn from the Latin mea domina, or “my lady.”
It originated in the late 1600s as a contraction of "madame," a formal address for women of higher social status.
By the 1800s, yes ma’am was well-established in the US as a polite affirmation, particularly expected of younger children when questioned by mothers, schoolteachers, or other older female authority figures (e.g., Yes ma’am, I’ll sit down now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaB9F3R9cIY&list=RDKAVpqOG-HDY&index=15
The expression has become especially associated with the English of the South or American West, where it's shortened to yes’m.
In the 20th century, yes ma’am extended as a humorous or friendly way to express enthusiastic agreement with someone regardless of gender (e.g., Yes ma’am, she’s a great car!). And, while originating as a polite affirmation, yes ma’am also evolved into a rude remark.
A response of yes ma’am, had become so expected of children or inferiors that they came to issue it reflexively, insincerely, or forcibly (e.g., Yes ma’am, I’ll be sure to get on it right away) uttered under the breath or with an idea.