Trivia Question of the Day

[coalescent]

As I understand it, titles like 'sir,' 'lord,' and 'dr' can be collectively described as honorifics. What's the collective description for supplemental letters like 'MSc,' or 'PhD'? Are they still honorifics, or something else?

Comments

[ang-grrr.livejournal.com]

Soporifics?

[coalescent.livejournal.com]

:-D

Surely they're still honorifics

[applez.livejournal.com]

Since 'Lord' may be the shorthand for something like "His most Catholic majesty...so on and so forth..." or even just a smattering of legal achievements (in terms of a Court judge).

Likewise, 'Dr.' most certainly refers to 'PhD/DPhil/MD'

The two are linked.

So technically, those of us with MSc or MPhils or the like could demand the title 'Master' I suppose. A bit silly, and would certainly develop confusion given the titles given to young boys, or College Masters - but you see what I'm driving at.

Oh last point, as achievements in their discipline, these degrees are awards of honour.