this post was submitted on 06 Jan 2024
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I considered deleting the post, but this seems more cowardly than just admitting I was wrong. But TIL something!

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

At least where I'm from, if someone were to say that they are a mathematician, they usually mean they are employed as a mathematician. So people will say ex-mathematician so the listener does not reach the wrong conclusion.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Thank you vm for the explanation, I was under the wrong idea that "mathematician" meant someone that knows mathematics, and just as being a hacker or an erudite, it couldn't be lost. Btw, I am a Financial Math PhD candidate, you saved me from potentially awkward conversations.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Don't worry. It wouldn't be a faux pas or anything. People often say "I studied math." (US) or "I read [past tense] maths." (UK) to mean they have mathematical knowledge.

PS: I've never been to the UK. I only put that bit in to have the brits explain it to you.