Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson.

(LEVI LANDRY / iNFOnews.ca)

It’s an unusual expression, with roots in medieval Britain. So, why do we still refer to our Mayors as “your worship” when times have undeniably changed?

The etymology of the word “worship” is “worth-ship”. It's a term that was used historically in Britain to refer to high-ranking individuals, especially magistrates or mayors.

However, for Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, the honorific has somewhat lost its meaning.

“I actually think it should be respected more. I don't think it should be something that people just say,” Mayor Hamer-Jackson told iNFOnews.ca.

READ MORE: Kamloops mayor goes to bat for proposed Tranquille development

While veterans, RCMP officers and firefighters use the expression “your worship” respectfully, Hamer-Jackson says some people, councillors included, are less than sincere.

“Some counsellors that sit in our council chambers, I think they say it because they have to,” Hamer-Jackson said. “But, you know, let's not fluff it here. Don't pretend that you respect the chair of the mayor. Don't pretend that you respect the actual election and don't pretend that you respect what the citizens of the community voted for.”

Rhodri Windsor-Liscombe, professor of Art History, Visual Art and Theory at the UBC believes “your worship” can be a useful expression.

“Anything that stops debate from becoming the sort of crude rubbish that's happening in the United States is good, in my view,” Windsor-Liscombe told iNFOnews.ca.

READ MORE: Kelowna Mayor accused of political interference in controversial highrise project

Labelling is a common human behaviour and a sometime useful one at that, he said.

“We like to give people labels, don't we?”

For Windsor-Liscombe, saying “your worship” works in a similar way to tiered seats in a courtroom, where individuals with the most authority sit on the highest platform.

Both are a way of pointing out who’s in charge to maintain a sense of order.

Traditions like this, he said, can help prevent discussion from devolving into the chaos we see in U.S. Congress.

READ MORE: How fortunes changed for the Thompson-Okanagan’s largest cities

“The honorific name sort of helps to contribute to a sense of orderliness, which I think is important in decision-making, particularly in a democratic situation where, of course, there are interests that can have too much power,” he said. 

For Mayor Hamer-Jackson at least, the formalities definitely aren't necessary.

“I said well, you can just call me Reid," Hamer-Jackson said. "I'm good with Reid, it's the same."

To contact a reporter for this story, email Georgina Whitehouse or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.

News from © iNFOnews, 2024