Warlocks & Sorcerers

[cynthiaanncoe at home.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 27547

> > Catlady wrote:
> > 
> > > But it doesn't make any sense to me that 
> > > "warlock" would be synonymous and redundant with "wizard": a 
male 
> > > magical human. 
> > 
Amy wrote:

> > A lot of people share your view.  Can someone explain it to me?
> > 
> > Just as there are multiple English words for male nonmagical 
humans 
> > (men, guys, males), I figured "warlock" is a synonym 
for "wizard."  
> It 
> > differs in that it has a bit more focus, in that you really would 
> > never use it for women, whereas "wizard" means both the male and 
> the 
> > generic.
> > 
> 
Vanessa wrote:

> IIRC (and please feel free to correct me) we only come across the 
> word 'warlock' in the context of meetings, conferences and specific 
> positions of power.  I was always under the impression that it was 
a 
> specific title; we don't come across characters saying "Oh, he's 
just 
> some warlock or other", "I always wanted to be a warlock when I 
grew 
> up" etc.
> I imagine it's something like MP, or perhaps it has no equivalent 
in 
> the muggle world, roughly translated it would mean "Person who is 
> acting in an official capacity"; or perhaps it's like the 
> word 'Esquire' or the use of letters after one's name (B.Sc, MD, 
> L.O.L.L.I.P.O.P etc) - terminology only used in formal situations.
> 
> 
The reference that caused me to ask about warlocks is in PoA:  "It 
was extremely crowded, noisy, warm, and smoky.  A curvy sort of woman 
with a pretty face was serving a bunch of rowdy warlocks up at the 
bar."  

Based on that, I formed the mental image that warlock isn't an 
honorific, nor is it the same as wizard.  I figure it either 
means "man", whereas witch means "woman" and wizard means "person."  
Or warlock is a polite way of saying "wizard geezer." 

But then it doesn't make sense that Dumbledore would refer to himself 
as a "geezer" on his business card.  So I guess it must mean "older 
and accomplished and senior wizard before whom one ought to bow and 
scrape."

Now, what about "sorcerer?"

Cindy
-----------
Headmaster:  Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme 
Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)