THE KING'S ENGLISH
Sir-I do not think Mr. Maxwell Stewart will receive much support-at least from the professions-for his contention that it is incorrect and embarrassing to introduce as "Doctor" the holder of a non-medical doctorate. The title, in fact, seems to be academically inescapable. However, in the matter of my reference to Dr, Johnson there may perhaps be room for some defence. Mr. Stewart disagrees with this estimate (offered, I admit, facetiously) on the ground that contemporary usage did not defice the medical man, and that therefore no confusion could exist. This I do not doubt, but to what does the argument then lead? Are we to assume that the giiostly Doctor-already holding the (itlewould, in tkese latter days, be. sufficiently public-spirited to throw that title overboard in favour of the parvenyu? Possible, of course, though scarcely probable with a spectre of such dignity and eminence! Would he not be more likely to deplore all this vulgar usurpation of the title by barbers, apothecaries and leeches. ; Finally, if I have erred in my mode of addressing Mr. Stewart my sincere apologies are due, but I believe this is the form of address which he desires.
J. B.
HYATT
(Wellington).
(This correspondence is now closed.-Ed.,)
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19530724.2.12.5
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 29, Issue 732, 24 July 1953, Page 5
Word count
Tapeke kupu
205THE KING'S ENGLISH New Zealand Listener, Volume 29, Issue 732, 24 July 1953, Page 5
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in