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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.