How's this for punctuation?

originally posted by Sharon Bowman:
To shift slightly, what do you make of the capitalization of "US President"? I mean, "president" is a common noun.

The capitalization makes it sounds so fancy and science-fictiony.

But it's an honorary, and those should be capitalised, no?
 
As Chris notes!

originally posted by Chris Coad:
The title of U.S. president is only capitalized when used as an honorific for the current officeholder, or as a courtesy for a former officeholder. So one would say "former President Obama," but "Obama was a two-term president."
 
Anyone know how long you're supposed to keep calling someone something after they no longer hold the post? I remember Bill Clinton guest appearing on "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me..." and they referred to him as "mister president" and said things such as "the president got the answer right." But he's not a president any more.
 
originally posted by Sharon Bowman:
Anyone know how long you're supposed to keep calling someone something after they no longer hold the post? I remember Bill Clinton guest appearing on "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me..." and they referred to him as "mister president" and said things such as "the president got the answer right." But he's not a president any more.

Probably equivalent to being a Marine: "Once a Marine...".
 
One gets to hold one's preferred office title forever. Thus Governor Romney, Secretary Clinton, and, just to you robert ames, Professor Loesberg.
 
originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg:
One gets to hold one's s preferred office title forever. Thus Governor Romney, Secretary Clinton, and, just to you robert ames, Professor Loesberg.

duly noted.
 
originally posted by Sharon Bowman:
Anyone know how long you're supposed to keep calling someone something after they no longer hold the post? I remember Bill Clinton guest appearing on "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me..." and they referred to him as "mister president" and said things such as "the president got the answer right." But he's not a president any more.

This is done as a courtesy for informal, non-state occasions. We formally only ever have one president. Just one, who is the current officeholder. At a state dinner Bill C. would be "former President Clinton," or perhaps "Governor Clinton." The presidential title, unlike, say, "Colonel," "Governor" or "Ambassador," is a singular one that you don't get to keep once you're out of the job. However, in less formal settings it's often applied as a courtesy and a sign of respect for time served in our highest office.

Though Lisa does not approve of that. She's a purist who yells at the TV when some hapless newsreader bleats about "all the living presidents."
 
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