Warlock/Wizard - was Asking JKR just one question

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 119403


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Tonks" <tonks_op at y...> wrote:
> 
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <bboyminn at y...> wrote:
> , then I would like to know the difference between a
> > Warlock and a Wizard. 
> > 
> > They seem very nearly the same thing, but Harry and/or the 
> > narrator seem to be able to make a distinction. When Harry walks 
> > into a room, he seems to be able to single out Warlocks from among
> > the Wizards and Witches.
> > 
> > Just curious.
> > 
> > Steve/bboymin (was bboy_mn)


> Tonks here:
> 
> I don't remember where in the books this happens. But as I 
> understand it a Warlock is a male witch. The term Wizard is the 
> highest level.. warlocks and witches are beginners. Rowlings 
> confuses the issue by linking witches with wizards.  Probably 
> because it is too hard to explain it all.
> 
> Tonks_op

bboyminn:

That's a good thought and certainly has some truth to it but...

On at least two occassions Harry walks into a bar (Leaky Cauldron and
Three Broomsticks) and specifically singles out raucous and rowdy
Warlocks. In other words, in a room full of witches and wizards, Harry
is able to specifically pick out the Warlocks.

True, they may be male witches, but how does that distinquish them,
how does that allow Harry to pick them out of a crowd? 

Only JKR knows for sure.

Also, I doubt that a warlock is a beginner, since Earnie MacMillan is
decended for 9 generations of Warlocks. He certainly wouldn't have
said the equivalent of 'I'm decended from 9 generations of beginners'.
Although, the possibility of a low ranking 'common man' type wizard
isn't impossible, 'Warlock' could be the muggle equivalent of 'trailer
trash'.

Others have speculated that Warlocks are like soldiers, policemen, or
other government worker that would be distinguished by a uniform. 

I have speculated that it is a regional distinction for the same
thing. That is, in western Europe, they most commonly say 'wizard' but
in Eastern Europe, the common phrase is 'warlock'. 

Although, I think both cultures, east and west, recognise the words as
meaning the same thing and use them. Example, purely speculative, the
International Confederation of Warlocks could have been founded in
Berlin, and therefore choose the more locally common term 'warlock'.
The International Federation of Wizard, speculatively, may have been
founded in Paris and therfore uses the western reference. 

Again, both east and west would recognise and use the terms, but would
more commonly refer to the regional preference. So, Harry may have
recognised the Warlocks in the Leaky Cauldron by their Bulgarian accents. 

Earnie MacMillan's ancestry could be from Eastern Europe, and when
referring to his family, he uses the Eastern term despite having lived
his entire life in Britain (speculative).

Pure speculation; not may people agreed with the regional idea.

In general, I think wizard and warlock mean the same thing, yet, Harry
is clearly able to make a distinction.

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn (was bboy_mn)