Vals Kilmer (like "attorneys general"?)

[Jonathan Lighter]

That's may be true, but at least they should realize it's an admiral's unform, not a general's. Of course, the SG isn't an ordinary admiral either - or any kind of naval officer - just chief of the United States Public Health Service.  The uniforms were long passe', but Everett Koop brought them back in 1981.

  http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_194b.html

  JL



Beverly Flanigan <flanigan at OHIO.EDU> wrote:
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Sender: American Dialect Society
Poster: Beverly Flanigan
Subject: Re: Vals Kilmer (like "attorneys general"?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some talk show (or news hour) hosts have used "General," perhaps naively,
I'll admit. Also, haven't some of the SGs been in uniform during their
tenure? This might lead people to believe they should be called "General."

At 03:54 PM 3/27/2006, you wrote:
>"To my knowledge, no one ever calls the Surgeon General 'General.'
>'Doctor' is used instead."
>
> Read all about it: http://www.cardozo.yu.edu/life/spring2003/generals/ .
>
> JL
>
>Beverly Flanigan wrote:
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> -----------------------
>Sender: American Dialect Society
>Poster: Beverly Flanigan
>Subject: Re: Vals Kilmer (like "attorneys general"?)
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>The Surgeon General is always addressed as General.
>
>At 01:34 PM 3/27/2006, you wrote:
> >I think the question was about how attorneys general are addressed. When
> >Alberto Gonzales appears before congress, is he addressed as General
> >Gonzales? I think this happens at least sometimes.
> >
> >-Matt Gordon
> >
> >
> >On 3/27/06 11:43 AM, "Dennis R. Preston"
>wrote:
> >
> > > I guess I don't understand. If he is the attorney for general
> > > matters, then he is a "general attorney," just like a court martial
> > > is court (N) plus martial (adj) a "military court."
> > >
> > > dInIs
> > >
> >
> > >> ~~~~~~~~~~~
> > >> I've no beef with adjectives following nouns, a la francais. This still
> > >> doesn't explain why we address this (general interest) attorney as
> > >> "General" if it isn't meant as a rank.....?
> > >> AM
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
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> > >>
> > >> ------------------------------------------------------------
> > >> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Dennis R. Preston
> > > University Distinguished Professor
> > > Department of English
> > > Morrill Hall 15-C
> > > Michigan State University
> > > East Lansing, MI 48824-1036 USA
> > > Office: (517) 353-4736
> > > Fax: (517) 353-3755
> > >
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