[HPforGrownups] Snape's Title (was: Snape the Control Freak)

[Edblanning at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 37711

Debbie: 
> Oh, and IMO Snape doesn't want the DADA job, or at least he shouldn't want 
> it.  Why would the Potions Master want to take on a reportedly jinxed 
> position to teach a subject that involves foolish wand-waving?   The title, 
> which IIRC has not been used to describe any other professor, or 
> Dumbledore, 
> indicates that he's a recognized expert in his field.  

This point of Snape's title has been brought up before and I just wanted to 
put a British perspective on it, as I think the titles have different 
implications on either side of the Atlantic.

Master (or Mistress) is a normal term for a teacher over here, Form Master, 
Maths Master, etc. It doesn't carry any implications for us of particular 
skill or rank. Professor is a different matter though and IRL, is normally 
used only for the head of a university department. The only departure from 
this rule that I am aware of is at the Music Colleges, where the teachers 
*are* known as professors. I think that this is an archaic usage (cf 
Charlotte Bronte's _The Professor_). In HP, it seems to be being used as a 
wizarding title for a teacher, simply, I would suggest, because it *is* 
archaic, like quills and parchment.

Excellent post, Debbie. I made the same suggestion some time ago about a 
theory file. I expect you know this, but for other confused people, quite a 
few of us posted our Snape theories under Snapetheories, The Cliff Notes 
Version, round about Feb 20th. I hope you have better lick searching the 
archives than I did!

Eloise





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