# Newscasters say "Attorneys General." Why isn't it "Attorney Generals"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 16, 2012, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026 "2012-02-16T14:47:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/1 "2012-02-16T14:47:00Z")
Question is in subject line. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/2 "2012-02-16T14:49:44Z")
“General” in this context is an adjective. It’s a French-derived usage – think “Estates General.” ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/3 "2012-02-16T14:51:28Z")
We also say “courts-martial,” “surgeons-general,” “inspectors-general,” and so on. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/4 "2012-02-16T14:51:37Z")
Because “general” is a modifier describing “attorneys.” The formation of the modifier after the noun is unusual in English, but it occurs from time to time (e.g., “mothers-in-law”). ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/5 "2012-02-16T14:52:56Z")
in this case, “general” is an adjective, and “attorney” is a noun. So if you’re going to pluralize it, you must pluralize the noun. Other examples: directors general, courts martial, passers-by, Whoppers Junior. ---
**Author:** ![SmithCommaJohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@SmithCommaJohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmithCommaJohn)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/6 "2012-02-16T14:58:30Z")
I’ll have two Burritos Supreme, please. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/7 "2012-02-16T14:58:33Z")
The way I think of it is, the “General” is more of a job description than a job title. Pluralizing it the other way is like saying “doctor of oncologies.” ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/8 "2012-02-16T15:08:50Z")
I’ve got gadgets and **gizmos aplenty** , whosits and **whatsits galore**. You what [post-positive adjectives](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-positive_adjective)? I’ve got 20. But who cares? You want lyrics? I’ve got mooooooore… Up with **passers-by** Up where they run Up where I spend all day with **lookers-on** An S on “attorney” in a spelling bee, Part of that …wooooooooooord! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/9 "2012-02-16T15:21:11Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > I’ve got gadgets and **gizmos aplenty** , > whosits and **whatsits galore**. > You what [post-positive adjectives](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-positive_adjective)? I’ve got 20. > But who cares? You want lyrics? > I’ve got mooooooore… > > Up with **passers-by** > Up where they run > Up where I spend all day with **lookers-on** > An S on “attorney” > in a spelling bee, > Part of that …wooooooooooord! _claps_ Well played, sir. Well played, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/10 "2012-02-16T16:01:19Z")
Why are those French people always screwing up our language!? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/11 "2012-02-16T16:09:43Z")
Since the question has been answered, I’d like to take the opportunity to once again vent my spleen at attorneys general, surgeons general, inspectors general, solicitors general, etc., being addressed as “General.” AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHH! I want to slap silly whoever perpetrates that bit of idiocy. (I remember an episode of _Sharp_ with Sean Bean, in which an officer made fun of a quartermaster general who wanted to be addressed as “general.”) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/12 "2012-02-16T16:47:16Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Since the question has been answered, I’d like to take the opportunity to once again vent my spleen at attorneys general, surgeons general, inspectors general, solicitors general, etc., being addressed as “General.” AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHH! I want to slap silly whoever perpetrates that bit of idiocy. > > (I remember an episode of _Sharp_ with Sean Bean, in which an officer made fun of a quartermaster general who wanted to be addressed as “general.”) Right. The Surgeon General should be adressed as Vice Admiral. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/13 "2012-02-16T17:04:05Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Since the question has been answered, I’d like to take the opportunity to once again vent my spleen at attorneys general, surgeons general, inspectors general, solicitors general, etc., being addressed as “General.” AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHH! I want to slap silly whoever perpetrates that bit of idiocy. > > (I remember an episode of _Sharp_ with Sean Bean, in which an officer made fun of a quartermaster general who wanted to be addressed as “general.”) Well General Olson was at least acceptable. General Kagan sounded ridiculous. BTW what the hell is wrong with being called “Learned Counsel” or “the AG”, works for the Commonwealth and many judges make it sound like they are saying “you bloody fool”. OTH I really love what the UK Government calls it official Court representative; [Treasury Devil.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devilling#Treasury_Devil) ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/14 "2012-02-16T17:07:22Z")
Companies’ head persons are sometimes called general managers. The general there is the same meaning as in attorneys general- so the plural goes on attorney. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/15 "2012-02-16T17:12:17Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Well General Olson was at least acceptable. General Kagan sounded ridiculous. I’m having trouble interpreting this comment in a way that doesn’t seem offensive to Kagan. > [@](#): > > BTW what the hell is wrong with being called “Learned Counsel” or “the AG”, works for the Commonwealth and many judges make it sound like they are saying “you bloody fool”. I don’t see what the hell is the problem with any official in a democracy being addressed as “Mr.” or “Ms./Mrs.” ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/16 "2012-02-16T17:27:56Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Companies’ head persons are sometimes called general managers. The general there is the same meaning as in attorneys general- so the plural goes on attorney. Yes. They are General Managers in the sense that Attorneys General are General Attorneys. They are Attorneys first. They are not Generals who happen to also be Attorneys. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/17 "2012-02-16T17:37:42Z")
But isn’t “Attorney General” the full name of the title? I guess it’s really just convention that drives usage, but find it illogical to call them Attorneys General if we’re capitalizing both words. I remember asking a question here years ago on why the Toronto hockey team is called the “Maple Leafs”, and not the “Maple Leaves”. I’m not sure, but I think that this question is analogous to that. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/18 "2012-02-16T17:43:10Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > Yes. They are General Managers in the sense that Attorneys General are General Attorneys. They are Attorneys first. They are not Generals who happen to also be Attorneys. Of course, “General” as a title is just a corruption of the original “General Officer,” for which the plural would be “General Officers.” ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/19 "2012-02-16T17:53:30Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > OTH I really love what the UK Government calls it official Court representative; [Treasury Devil.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devilling#Treasury_Devil) This being GQ and all, I feel obliged to clarify that while the Treasury Devil is an official, Treasury Devil is not his or her official title. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026/20 "2012-02-16T17:59:33Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > But isn’t “Attorney General” the full name of the title? I guess it’s really just convention that drives usage, but find it illogical to call them Attorneys General if we’re capitalizing both words. Imagine that I gave myself the title Chef Extraordinaire. Now lets say that I hire someone else, and give them the same title. Would we be Chef Extraordinaires? No, we’ve be Chefs Extraordinaire. We are 2 extraordinary chefs. The Attorney General is a general Attorney. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newscasters-say-attorneys-general-why-isnt-it-attorney-generals/613026.md?page=2)