Re; CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 8 THE POTIONS MASTER

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 188271

Chris:
I must admit to the term Potions Master not causing me any problem whatsoever.  The term is probably still used today - particularly in public schools.
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> Alla:
 
> I always thought that it has nothing to do whatsoever with teacher's skill and speculate that Snape himself attached importance to it.

Potioncat:
Welcome to the list, Chris. Please feel free to post at will.

It looks like Potions master and Potions teacher are interchanagble. Potions master and  Charms master could possibly be an older form of use. But it doesn't seem to me that using Potions master is at all putting on airs.

I agree that Snape desperately seeks recognition and respect, but I don't see Potions master as an aspect of that. The DES, while they may not like or trust him, and certainly respect him. I think it's sad he didn't do a better job of earning respect on the other side. It's too bad that he's used intimidation at Hogwarts in his quest for respect.

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> zanooda:
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> Yes, he said something like "excuse me, I believe *I* am the Potions master at
> this school" :-). He also called himself "master of this school" when he was
> trying to make the Marauder's map work in PoA ("Snape's Grudge").
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> Alla:
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> AHA, yes he did, thanks for reminding me guys!  So that I think does not contradict my speculation, IF in reality it is just a name for the teacher's position, or another name and has nothing to do with skill, Snape is massaging his ego here, since he may have simply said  something along the lines - excuse me I am a potions teacher here.
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Potioncat:
But if the two terms mean the same thing, how does using one mean he's massaging his ego? 

Besides, look at the context. Would you rather he'd kept his peace and allowed Lockhart to prepare the potion?

BTW, I'd like to thank Carol for her summary and thought provoking questions for "The Potions Master."