Doctor Who?

I often wonder about the meaning or origin of certain words. It cracks me up that some of the kids at school call me "Mrs. Doctor Mehigh". The word "doctor" is used in our culture for a medical practitioner (m.d.) as well as someone who is an expert in their field of study (PhD like me). Some kids actually think that since my handle is "doctor" that I am somehow competent to treat their ills, sprains, and other boo-boos.

So where does the term "doctor" come from?

I used the "The Oxford English Dictionary" [OED] which is kind of like the Bible for those of us interested in etymology (meaning of words). Here is what I found.

The earliest use of "doctor" in WRITTEN English was in 1303, but the term applied to "doctors of the Church," meaning "learned men in the scriptures."

It was not until 1377 that it was used in the sense of "medical doctor," or one who treats illnesses or diseases.


The entry from the OED above traces the word's origin -- from the Old French "doctor" from the Latin "doctor," meaning "teacher." And that noun came from the verb "docre" which meant "to teach."

So if we go with the original Latin, it seems like all of my teacher colleagues should be called "doctor". Wonder if we did call teachers this if we'd make more money? Or get the respect we deserve? hahahahahah

I think if you put the m.d. together with the "teacher" you will probably have the best type of medical practitioner. One who listens to a patient and teaches them how to stay healthy. Just my opinion.