system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?

I always thought they were the same thing, but my teacher said they were different today.
gpt
As a lawyer, had to get in here after seeing the answers. Yes, there is a difference.  Attorney means "a person appointed to act for another in business or legal matters." *Fuckin Google*. Anyone can be an attorney., i.e attorney-in-fact.  If you appoint your cat to fill out your ss disability forms, your car is your attorney in that respect. In contrast, a lawyer is a legal professional (passed the bar) who also acts as your attorney.   That said, colloquially, these terms are used interchangeably.