Yeah certainly, and even at university most lecturers I had I think were 'just call me (first name)'.
I just meant that I can't think of anything else at that level that we don't use (sometimes/to the same not-100% extent) an honourific for. In many countries (not North America I know) medicine is a lesser qualification (Bachelor of each Medicine & Surgery, MBBS or BMBS) but we still use it, so it seemed to me the argument up thread works there (Masters aren't called doctors) but not as far as I can think of anything at PhD level?
I don't think so. As you say, not any sort of Masters degree. And even though the standard JD for lawyers has "doctor" in it, no one calls anyone with a standard 3 year law degree "doctor." Obviously there are aristocratic and clerical titles as well--in addition to various certifications (though those don't usually have a prefix-type title--mostly positions like Judge do).
>Yeah certainly, and even at university most lecturers I had I think were 'just call me (first name)'.
Of course not all lecturers have doctorates and you also get into the very academia "Professor" sensitivity.
I just meant that I can't think of anything else at that level that we don't use (sometimes/to the same not-100% extent) an honourific for. In many countries (not North America I know) medicine is a lesser qualification (Bachelor of each Medicine & Surgery, MBBS or BMBS) but we still use it, so it seemed to me the argument up thread works there (Masters aren't called doctors) but not as far as I can think of anything at PhD level?