I'm a sucker for elaborate, over-the-top titles. Take the ephemera example in this post for instance: Grand Exalted Ruler
I have a piece of ephemera in my collection featuring the "Grand Lead and Wheel" of the Order of the Carabao. The Grand Lead and Wheel sounds like a good title to hold. I'll take it.
When asked what my title is by friends and curious, skeptical relatives, I sometimes tell them that I'm an "International So and So." That gives them pause.
Titles are such a great human invention. President is a pretty pedestrian title. That's because George Washington had just spent a few years busting his tushy trying to defeat a guy with a highfalutin title—The King of England.
Here are some other honorific titles I really enjoy:
- Grand Poobah, which comes from the haughty character in Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado.
- Kentucky Colonels—Bob Hope was one.
- The Right Reverend
- Grand Fromage
What are some of your favorite grandiose titles?
