Once a president, always a president?

Protocol: Once a Pres always referred to as a President.

the same holds true for anyone who held the title “Honorable”. Tidbit here: protocol

In general, the highest rank or title a person has achieved in their life sticks with them for the rest of it. Former Senators are still addressed as “Senator So-and-So,” (unless they become President or Vice-President), retired Generals are still addressed with their rank, former Supreme Court Justices like Sandra Day O’Connor are stilled called Justice.

It does get tricky when the same person has held multiple high level positions. For example, Colin Powell was both a five-star general (and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff) and Secretary of State. So, do you refer to him as Mr. Secretary or General Powell. It turns out that, usually, the military rank is used. Another example is Joe Sestak, Congressman from Pennsylvania. Most members of the House are referred to with the title Congressman/woman or Representative. Sestak is a former admiral, so even though he is a sitting Congressman, he is often referred to as Admiral Sestak.

Great! Thanks, guys.

According to William Faulkner, the same is true of bitches.

[Once a bitch, always a bitch, The Sound and the Fury ]

According to James Joyce, the same is true of priests.

[Once a priest, always a priest, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man ]

And of course, according to Jilliam Faulkoyce…

Once a priest, always a bitch, The Sound and the Artist as a Young Man.