Master of This School

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 111769

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Jenny H" <BamaJenny12 at y...> 
wrote:
> Potioncat:
> > Does anyone know off hand, who first refers to Snape as a Potions 
> > Master?  I'm sure we hear it before PoA and I'm sure it's someone 
> > else who uses it to describe Snape. 
> 
> 
>   From Jenny (first HP post! :-))
>   In CofS, at the beginning of the dueling class, Lockhart tells the
>   "Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry -- you'll still
>   have your Potions master when I'm through with him, never fear!"
>   (pg. 189).

Finwitch:

Nice. Many have mentioned it's 'archaic' word for teacher. I think it 
began with the old apprentice system. A person could, for example,  
first be an apprentice to a master smith (starting usually at the age 
of 14 or so), and after 7 years or so of learning (and serving) he'd 
become a journeyman - independent, free to do the work at different 
places, possibly with different masters, but not mastering the art of 
smithery yet. A master also owned the house and he did teach the 
art... so it's natural, I suppose that master was then adopted for 
other sort of teachers.

It also refers to great skill - mastering an art would mean to know 
it thoroughly...

Finwitch