[HPforGrownups] Re: Master of This School

[Sali Morris]

No: HPFGUIDX 111803

Kathryn:
> 
> Even in the UK you wouldn't have referred to the teacher as Master, it's an
> archaic synonym for teacher (probably bases on their qualifications as
> mentioned by someone else) not a term like Mr. or Mrs. The staff would be
> referred to as the masters rather than the teachers <snip>. When addressing the teachers you wouldn't use master or mistress
> <snip>
> 
> K
> 
> 
Now Sali:
In addition to everything Kathryn has said, here's a snippet from the OED online:
Master (n.)(snipped various other meanings and usages of the word)
II A teacher; a person qualified to teach.
11. A man to whose care a child or children are committed for instruction, esp. in a school; a male teacher or tutor; a schoolmaster. Also: a male teacher of a particular subject; chiefly with distinguishing word, as dancing, French master, etc. (Sali - or Potions master :))

The title of Professor in the wizarding world seems to be a courtesy title as we have no evidence of the existence of wizarding universities (everything Kathryn said about the UK use of the title is correct - think it's intended to give academics power over other academics). As many others have said, you wouldn't use Master as a title in this case (eg Master Snape, teacher of this school) anymore and can anyone really see Snape submitting to being a plain Mr?

Sali
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