If you have watched public television as much as I do you have surely looked up at the screen one day and asked the $64,000 question...Why do the Brits call a GP doctor and a surgeon mister? It does seem like all physicians are specialists any more but isn't the surgeon the pinnacle of the medical doctor hierarchy? Don't they deserve a more exalted honorific than the simple "mister?"
The explanation has its roots in 17th and 18th century England as midwives, herbalists, barbers and apothecaries gave way to formally educated physicians trained in universities who were awarded degrees as "Doctors of Medicine." They became members of the Royal College of Physicians and were entitled to be called Doctor. But the messy work of lancing boils, removing gangrenous appendages and pulling teeth remained the purview of lay people who were trained through apprenticeships and were not allowed to refer to themselves as doctors. Eventually the education and training of these "surgeons" caught up with, rivaled and conjoined with that of the "medical doctors" but in a point (or is that pique) of pride the members of the Royal College of Surgeons insisted they continue to be referred to as Mister.
In spite of this fascinating bit of trivia, I think I will stick with the very American tradition of calling all my health care professionals doctor, including the dentist, podiatrist, psychologist, pharmacist, orthodontist, physical therapist, optometrist, osteopath, oral surgeon, and mental health counselor. Sometimes even a basketball player or a rap star!
Willet
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