Hacker News Reader

> there are countries where words mean something

You're using engineer in a highly context specific way; yes, in some contexts, engineering is a licensed field, but the general meaning of the word is:

> Engineering is the practice of systematically applying natural science and mathematics to design and improve systems, devices, or processes that solve problems under constraints.

Which is a word-for-word description of the sort of work (…some…) software engineers do.

(Perhaps less and less "systematically applying science" these days with the slop fest out there … but the field should be doing engineering.)

Most software "engineers" never got a degree in engineering, and even fewer ever bothered to do what is necessary to enter the profession where it is regulated.

In Canada, members of the Royal Canadian Engineers have just as much right to the title of engineer as professional engineers do, and the operators of locomotives are also referred to as engineers.

That's why I've always described myself as an engineering graduate