title: Match a string against multiple patterns
body: <p>How can I match a string against multiple patterns using regular expression in ruby.</p>
  
  <p>I am trying to see if a string is included in an array of prefixes, This is not working but I think it demonstrates at least what I am trying to do.</p>
  
  <pre><code># example:
  # prefixes.include?("Mrs. Kirsten Hess")
  
  prefixes.include?(name) # should return true / false
  
  prefixes = [
    /Ms\.?/i,
    /Miss/i,
    /Mrs\.?/i,
    /Mr\.?/i,
    /Master/i,
    /Rev\.?/i,
    /Reverend/i,
    /Fr\.?/i,
    /Father/i,
    /Dr\.?/i,
    /Doctor/i,
    /Atty\.?/i,
    /Attorney/i,
    /Prof\.?/i,
    /Professor/i,
    /Hon\.?/i,
    /Honorable/i,
    /Pres\.?/i,
    /President/i,
    /Gov\.?/i,
    /Governor/i,
    /Coach/i,
    /Ofc\.?/i,
    /Officer/i,
    /Msgr\.?/i,
    /Monsignor/i,
    /Sr\.?/i,
    /Sister\.?/i,
    /Br\.?/i,
    /Brother/i,
    /Supt\.?/i,
    /Superintendent/i,
    /Rep\.?/i,
    /Representative/i,
    /Sen\.?/i,
    /Senator/i,
    /Amb\.?/i,
    /Ambassador/i,
    /Treas\.?/i,
    /Treasurer/i,
    /Sec\.?/i,
    /Secretary/i,
    /Pvt\.?/i,
    /Private/i,
    /Cpl\.?/i,
    /Corporal/i,
    /Sgt\.?/i,
    /Sargent/i,
    /Adm\.?/i,
    /Administrative/i,
    /Maj\.?/i,
    /Major/i,
    /Capt\.?/i,
    /Captain/i,
    /Cmdr\.?/i,
    /Commander/i,
    /Lt\.?/i,
    /Lieutenant/i,
    /^Lt Col\.?$/i,
    /^Lieutenant Col$/i,
    /Col\.?/i,
    /Colonel/i,
    /Gen\.?/i,
    /General/i
  ]
  </code></pre>