The phrase “my learned friend” is a formal and respectful way to address or refer to someone, typically in a legal or courtroom context.
Origin
The origin of the phrase can be traced back to the formalities and traditions of the legal profession, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom. It has been used in legal settings for centuries and is deeply rooted in legal etiquette. It began to be used as a formal and respectful way to address or refer to fellow lawyers and legal professionals.
The precise origin of the phrase is not documented, but it has been a part of legal traditions for many centuries. Referring to a lawyer/barrister as the learned friend by another lawyer/barrister is a British tradition that is followed in most anglophone (English-speaking) countries.
Due to its long history, pinpointing the first recorded use of the phrase “my learned friend” is challenging, however, it has been a part of legal traditions for many generations.
While the precise origin may not be documented, the use of “my learned friend” has been a longstanding tradition in the legal field and continues to be used in formal legal proceedings and documents to this day.
Meaning
The phrase “my learned friend” is used to address or refer to a fellow lawyer or attorney, often when addressing them in court or during legal proceedings. It is a mark of courtesy and respect, acknowledging the person’s legal expertise and professional standing. The use of “learned” in this context refers to the person’s knowledge, experience, and legal learning.
“Learned profession” is an old English expression traditionally used to refer to 3 professions:
- Medicine
- Theology
- Law
They were called “learned” because of the disproportionately extensive intellectual preparation required to qualify to practice them, particularly in relation to the other vocations of the time. “Learned profession” never ever exclusively referred to law.
In contemporary English usage, any vocation that requires extensive specialized training is called a “profession.” In other words, “profession” has now replaced “learned profession.” If we were still to use the archaic expression “learned profession,” many professions would be called “learned.” But, somehow, a few Anglophone lawyers are still stuck with the old expression, and erroneously think only their craft is a “learned profession.” Today, admirable and esteemed lawyers use the expression as a form of respect.
Over time, the phrase became a convention in legal proceedings, where lawyers would address each other and refer to each other as “my learned friend” during court appearances, debates, and other legal interactions. It is used in a similar way to “Mr.” or “Ms.” but with a specific focus on professional respect and recognition of legal expertise.
The legal profession is one of the professions which is traditionally treated as a learned profession. All the members associated with this profession are learned ones as they deal with knowledge, ideas, and ethics.
For example, in a courtroom setting, one lawyer might say to another: “My learned friend from the prosecution has raised an important point.” In this case, it is a way to acknowledge the opposing counsel’s professionalism and expertise in a respectful manner.
Note that the use of this phrase is somewhat formal and traditional. In less formal or everyday conversations, lawyers are often referred to simply as “lawyers” or by their names. However, in legal proceedings and in written legal documents, the use of “my learned friend” remains a common and respectful convention.
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