skip to content skip to search skip to navigation Listen Live skip to logon

Why isn't a surgeon called doctor?

doctor.jpgQuestion

When a man qualifies to be a doctor, he titles himself Doctor. But when he gets a promotion to a surgeon or consultant, he reverts to Mister. Why?
David, Romford

Answer

** Definitive **
Name: Sue, Hampton Hill
Qualification: I'm a nurse.
Answer: It's a throwback to when medicine was growing. Back then, surgeons were not seen as doctors, but seen as butchers. Hence the reason that they use Mr instead of Dr.