[HPFGU-OTChatter] A question about wizards

[P. Alexis Nguyen]

Wendy wrote:
> My 10 year old had a question for me that I can not answer. What is the
> difference between a wizard and a warlock? I always kind of thought
> that those two names were interchangable, but in the series it seems to
> be a special title. So my question is is it just a title in the series
> or is it a descriptor of more powers or what? My daughter will thank
> you.

I did a little googling (and etymology dictionary digging) into this
because, well, the question intrigued me. :)

It seems that the answer you seek will change according to who you
ask.  According to certain old-ish traditions of pagan/shamanism, a
warlock is a witch (of the male & female persuasion) who has decided
practice the darker magics - the reason for this is that there is
arguable evidence that says the etymology of the word warlock roughly
translate [from Old English] to one who has renounced an oath.

The term wizard is equally muddy.  Until the mid-1500s, when the lines
between philosophy and magic blurred, a wizard was not necessarily
magical.  After this point, there is question whether a wizard is
merely a witch, a male witch, or a high user of magic, but magic is
irrevocably lined with the term wizard from said point.

Throw in the word sorcery, and really, who really knows what's going on?

:) Did help much, did I?

~Ali