Posted by js on January 14, 2002 at 11:03:59:
In Reply to: Professional Musicianship posted by Peter J. Felice on January 13, 2002 at 22:51:51:
"professional" has the root word "profession". A "profession" is simply an "occupation" (job) that requires training.
"Professional" (as a noun) simply means 'one who pursues as a business (i.e. for remuneration/payment) some vocation or occupation'.
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going farther than necessary here:
* To me (as a paid hornblower/guitar player/etc.), it has meant that I show up somewhere on time with the appropriate garb and equipment ready to perform requested tasks to the satifaction of those who have engaged me.
* Further, it would mean that I don't grump about working conditions nor about payment (as both are almost always completely understood prior to the engagement).
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I don't know what else it could mean. What are you looking for in a definition? Is the word "professional" being confused with one of these words?
"capable", "viable", or "employable" (???)
I like Sean Chisham's comments.