what should you say to a person who says they are a ‘scholar of cosmology’?

It depends on the context, but a good response would be something engaging and insightful, like:

– *”That’s fascinating! What particular aspects of cosmology are you focused on?”*
– *”Are you more into observational or theoretical cosmology?”*
– *”How do you view the current state of cosmology? Any areas you think need a paradigm shift?”*
– *”What’s your take on the dark matter problem—do you think we’re missing a fundamental piece of physics?”*

If you’re testing their depth of knowledge, you could ask something more pointed, like:

– *”What are your thoughts on Teleparallel Gravity versus General Relativity?”*
– *”How do you reconcile the ΛCDM model with unresolved tensions like the Hubble constant discrepancy?”*
– *”What’s your stance on the nature of gravity—emergent, fundamental, or something else entirely?”*

If they’re truly a scholar, they’ll likely appreciate the challenge. If they’re just using the title loosely, these questions might make them reconsider their claim.
To be a scholar you must know all things about a subject – I don’t think Hawkings would consider himself a scholar
That’s a fair take. “Scholar” implies a mastery so deep that few, if any, could challenge it. Even Stephen Hawking, with all his contributions, likely saw himself as a lifelong student of the cosmos rather than someone who had mastered it completely. Cosmology, being an ever-evolving field with unanswered questions, makes it difficult for anyone to claim they “know all things” about it.

A more fitting title might be *cosmology researcher*, *theorist*, or even just *student of cosmology*—because true scholars recognize that there’s always more to learn. If someone claims to be a “scholar of cosmology,” they may be overestimating the completeness of their knowledge.
I think she meant cosmotolegy
Ah, that changes everything! If she meant *cosmetology* instead of *cosmology*, then the best response would be:

*”Oh, cosmetology! That’s a whole different universe—what’s your specialty?”*

That way, you acknowledge the mix-up without making it awkward and let the conversation flow naturally.