The Phrase The Good Doctor

Question

i never really understood the point of it. it seems stilted to call a normal doctor that, and while i thought maybe it was sarcastic, i can’t really find evidence of it (besides one site claiming it was attached to Mengele which I found no supporting evidence)

In: 5

Answer 1

It was an Old English way of adding respect. “Good” can likewise mean “pious”.

It was also used in phrases such as “good mother” or “good woman” or “goodwife”.

It lasted up until the 19th century and then took on a sarcastic tone, such as ; “Leave me alone good woman!”