How did Old West pioneers acquire honorific titles?
Daniel Scuiry
Berkeley, California
An honorific is defined as a title that conveys esteem or respect for position or rank when addressing a person.
William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody was called “Colonel,” even though he never reached such a rank and was a civilian scout. Military officers were addressed by the highest rank they achieved, such as George Custer, who was brevetted to major general during the Civil War, but reverted to cap
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