English Usage - Former Governor

[Kumabjorn]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I generally don't use titles - too elitist.

You don't like Your Monkiness?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

You don't like Your Monkiness?

Peace be unto you, my son.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Phogg

I can't think of a single politician or judge that has served in my lifetime to whom it would apply then.

How sad. I can. Oh, wait, perhaps you're very young.

[Kumabjorn]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Peace be unto you, my son.

Shouldn't that be Your Holiness?

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by HarryT

In the UK, politicians don't have titles, so the question doesn't arise. When the British Prime Minister visits the US, it always sounds strange to us when the American media refers to him as "Prime Minister Cameron". He isn't "Prime Minister Cameron", he's just plain "Mr Cameron" whose job happens to be "Prime Minister".

As has been mentioned, certain professions do retain their titles even after they leave the job, eg "Doctor", "Professor".

High Court judges in the UK become "Lord" (or "Lady") such-and-such, and that title is for life. When they actually sit in court, they are referred to as "Lord Justice such-and-such", and I've never heard that title used for a retired judge.

That's rather interesting.

So a "regular" judge is just a judge while serving but a "high court" judge is titled and remains so until death? Sort of like our supreme court?

[RDaneel54]

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

I always get confused with the Presidents. I hear Clinton and Bush referred to as both President and former President. But I also hear Clinton & Bush AND Obama being referred to as Mr. That one always throws me for a loop.

In the U.S. the president is our head of state. Unlike the United Kingdom where their Prime Minister is correctly addressed as Mr., our current president should always be referred to as President Obama (for example). It bothers me when news shows or newspapers refer to the president as Mr., whether he is a Republican or Democrat currently, he is still our head of state.

Afterwards, he's a regular guy.

I look forward to our first female president and how the newsies handle it.

[wodin]

Then there is the custom of, when speaking to the President calling him Mr. President.

I wonder, when we finally get a female Preident, will she be Ms. President? or Mrs. President? or (heaven forbid) Miss President?

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by wodin

Then there is the custom of, when speaking to the President calling him Mr. President.

I wonder, when we finally get a female Preident, will she be Ms. President? or Mrs. President? or (heaven forbid) Miss President?

Shades of Marilyn Monroe

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by wodin

Then there is the custom of, when speaking to the President calling him Mr. President.

I wonder, when we finally get a female Preident, will she be Ms. President? or Mrs. President? or (heaven forbid) Miss President?

"Madame President" is used in several other countries with woman presidents.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by HarryT

"Madame President" is used in several other countries with woman presidents.

Yes, I think your right, I do recall hearing that. The only problem with that is that in the US, a "Madam" is the common title of a female pimp.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by wodin

Yes, I think your right, I do recall hearing that. The only problem with that is that in the US, a "Madam" is the common title of a female pimp.

But I've heard "ma'am" (a contraction of "madam") used in the US.

[susan_cassidy]

Originally Posted by HarryT

But I've heard "ma'am" (a contraction of "madam") used in the US.

But, only in responses to her directly, as in "Yes, ma'am", never "Ma'am President".

[plib]

Originally Posted by wodin

Yes, I think your right, I do recall hearing that. The only problem with that is that in the US, a "Madam" is the common title of a female pimp.

Hmm, a possible problem if someone might confuse a politician with a pimp?

On reflection - no comment.

[carpetmojo]

I've just remembered - I once worked for a while with an "Honourable" ( by birth) , and when I asked him how they knew he would be, he said "I've never thought really.... just breeding I guess. "

Could apply to a lot of other honorifics, really....

[carpetmojo]

Originally Posted by wodin

Yes, I think your right, I do recall hearing that. The only problem with that is that in the US, a "Madam" is the common title of a female pimp.

Some people obviously get out more .........