Apple's chief designer gets Knighthood

[HarryT]

Apple's chief designer, Jonathan Ive, has been made a Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE) in the Queen's New Year Honours List, in recognition of his services to technology. Sir Jonathan was the head of the design team which created the iPod and iPhone.

Full details:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16367022

[pdurrant]

Good for Sir Jonathan.

[Andrew H.]

I've always thought it was pretty handy how the UK could award titles to outstanding individuals to recognize them for whatever meritorious things that they've done. Being able to call yourself "Sir" is a lot better than getting a lame "Medal of Freedom" or "Medal of Technology."

Of course, titles of nobility don't really work for the US (which is, in any case, prohibited from granting them by perhaps the least litigated part of the US Constitution.) But the prohibition only applies to titles of *nobility.* Non-noble titles are okay. So what we need is a non-noble, but American-sounding title. And I think I have the perfect solution.

"Dude."

This is a quintessentially American title, and conveys originality, attitude, and respect. Awarding someone the title of "Dude" would be a great honor that many people would be happy to carry.

Sir Jonathan Ive, meet Dude Steve Jobs.

Of course, Dude is a masculine title (as is Sir), so we will need another title for women. I don't think "dudette" would work, so I'm open to suggestions.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

Of course, titles of nobility don't really work for the US (which is, in any case, prohibited from granting them by perhaps the least litigated part of the US Constitution.) But the prohibition only applies to titles of *nobility.* Non-noble titles are okay. So what we need is a non-noble, but American-sounding title. And I think I have the perfect solution.

To be strictly correct, a knighthood is not a grant of nobility. A knight is not a nobleman. ("Baron" is the lowest rank of nobility.)

Americans can be - and are - granted honourary knighthoods by the British monarch, but they aren't allowed to call themselves "Sir" (or "Dame", for a woman). So Bill Gates is "Bill Gates, KBE", but not "Sir Bill".