# Term for holders of bachelor's degrees **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 25, 2006, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264 "2006-08-25T22:32:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/21 "2006-08-26T18:14:02Z")
[QUOTE=Mathochist] When’s the last time you heard anyone refer to a young man (under 18) as “master” since he hasn’t yet become “mister”? [/QUOTE] When I was 17. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/22 "2006-08-26T18:33:54Z")
[QUOTE=Mathochist] When’s the last time you heard anyone refer to a young man (under 18) as “master” since he hasn’t yet become “mister”? [/QUOTE] The _only_ time I’ve heard (seen) it used was in addressing formal invitations to weddings & similar events, where the Bride insisted that the envelope listed both the parents names and their minor child. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/23 "2006-08-26T18:33:59Z")
[QUOTE=Mathochist] When’s the last time you heard anyone refer to a young man (under 18) as “master” since he hasn’t yet become “mister”? [/QUOTE] Correct me if I’m wrong, but since we’re talking about titles (for lack of a better word off the top of my head) granted for degrees, wouldn’t your hypothetical only be relevant only if the person under 18 had a master’s degree? Which, I put it to you, would be pretty darned unlikely (with the possible exception of Ilsa\_Lund; whatever happened to him, anyway?)… As far as I have seen, bachelor’s and master’s degrees do not, in practice, grant their holder any social title, much less the expectation that someone will use a title derived from the type of degree held. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2006, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/24 "2006-08-26T18:38:50Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Carrot] As far as I have seen, bachelor’s and master’s degrees do not, in practice, grant their holder any social title, much less the expectation that someone will use a title derived from the type of degree held. [/QUOTE] It’s worth noting that in the UK, most medical doctors do not have a doctoral degree, but a Bachelor of Medicine. Plus, for historical reasons, surgeons call themselves Mr/Mrs. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2006, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/25 "2006-08-26T19:49:46Z")
[QUOTE=alphaboi867] That used to be common in Germany. The wife of _Herr Doktor_ would be _Frau Doktor_, that same was not true for the husband of a real _Frau Doktor_. [/QUOTE] True story: A woman I know gave a talk at U. Vienna and was introduced as Professor Doktor Frau Professor Doktor Doktor HerName Explanation: she was indeed a professor with a PhD, but her husband was a professor with two PhDs. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2006, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/26 "2006-08-27T12:39:54Z")
[QUOTE=alphaboi867] That used to be common in Germany. The wife of _Herr Doktor_ would be _Frau Doktor_, that same was not true for the husband of a real _Frau Doktor_. [/QUOTE] I’ve seen it in 19th-century US newspaper/magazine articles, too. References to “Mrs Col Smith,” &c. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/27 "2006-08-27T20:11:37Z")
[QUOTE=Mathochist] When’s the last time you heard anyone refer to a young man (under 18) as “master” since he hasn’t yet become “mister”? Look, we talk about all sorts of random trivial things around here. It’s obsolete, yes, but that doesn’t make it wrong. Now kindly stow the attitude. [/QUOTE] Had a friend whos last name was Bator. We were careful to refer to him as master. ---
**Author:** ![legalsnugs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@legalsnugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legalsnugs)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2006, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/28 "2006-08-27T20:57:06Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Carrot] As far as I have seen, bachelor’s and master’s degrees do not, in practice, grant their holder any social title, much less the expectation that someone will use a title derived from the type of degree held. [/QUOTE] A JD does, but it comes after the name, and one does not use it when referring to oneself. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2006, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/29 "2006-08-27T21:14:54Z")
[QUOTE=legalsnugs] A JD does, but it comes after the name, and one does not use it when referring to oneself. [/QUOTE] I’ve hear lawyers refered to as _Attorney Lastname_ occasionally (my parents and grandparents do that alot), but I’ve never heard a lawyer call eirself that or use it in writing. Perhaps it was more common in the past? ---
**Author:** ![groman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@groman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groman)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/30 "2006-08-28T00:04:10Z")
[QUOTE=alphaboi867] I’ve hear lawyers refered to as _Attorney Lastname_ occasionally (my parents and grandparents do that alot), but I’ve never heard a lawyer call eirself that or use it in writing. Perhaps it was more common in the past? [/QUOTE] In the US only lawyers get “Esq” or “Esquire” tacked on to their names. As for “Master”, if I remember correctly, the butler on the show “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” referred to the main character as “Master William”. ---
**Author:** ![legalsnugs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@legalsnugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legalsnugs)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/31 "2006-08-28T01:24:21Z")
[QUOTE=groman] As for “Master”, if I remember correctly, the butler on the show “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” referred to the main character as “Master William”. [/QUOTE] As mentioned earlier, “Master” is the correct form of address for a young man under 18. The butler could not call him "Mister … " and could not call him “Will,” as that would not have been respectful, so he properly called him “Master William.” It may be old fashioned, but it is still correct. ---
**Author:** ![hawksgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ed655f/32.png) [@hawksgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawksgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/32 "2006-08-28T01:28:34Z")
I was reading something recently (Don Quixote maybe?) where one of the characters was refered to as Bachelor So-and-so, as he was educated at a university, so it may have been common in the past in some areas of Europe if it what I was reading was correct on that account. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/33 "2006-08-28T01:57:06Z")
[QUOTE=hawksgirl] I was reading something recently (Don Quixote maybe?) where one of the characters was refered to as Bachelor So-and-so, as he was educated at a university, so it may have been common in the past in some areas of Europe if it what I was reading was correct on that account. [/QUOTE] Did you read it in English? If so it might have been the translator’s attempt to translate _Licenciado_ which is a common form of adress in Spanish for holders of an undergrad degree. ---
**Author:** ![hawksgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ed655f/32.png) [@hawksgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawksgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/34 "2006-08-28T02:05:40Z")
Yes I did, and that makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/35 "2006-08-28T03:03:21Z")
I have used “Master” on an envelope for someone under the age of 18, but that springs from my stickler-for-the-rules days. In the early Seventies I was liberated and now I chose whatever the mood of the moment suggests. I am much more informal unless it’s autumn and I’ve been wearing tweed and watching British TV. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/36 "2006-08-28T21:50:36Z")
> [@](#): > > Where have you ever heard anyone refer to a holder of a master’s degree as Magister Whatever? I’ve spent my entire adult life around holders of advanced degrees and I’ve never heard of such a thing. I’d never heard it myself, outside of Latin classes, but now that I have, I fully intend to use it. –Magister Chronos ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/37 "2006-08-28T22:06:38Z")
Re archaic usage was “wife-mistress” ever a valid title for a woman? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/38 "2006-08-28T22:45:05Z")
[QUOTE=spingears] It’s performance that counts not the sheepskin. [/QUOTE] Yet, the sheepskin is there to _limit_ performance. Whut? ---
**Author:** ![Baffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@Baffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baffle)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/39 "2006-08-28T23:36:26Z")
It seems rather evident that a bachelor’s degree would belong to a bachelor. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264/40 "2006-08-29T00:30:57Z")
[QUOTE=astro] Re archaic usage was “wife-mistress” ever a valid title for a woman? [/QUOTE] Yes, _Mistress_ was a common term for any woman, married or single. In the 18th century it split into _Missus/Mrs_ for married women and _Miss_ for unmarried women. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-holders-of-bachelors-degrees/370264.md?page=3)