The overuse and misuse of the word "Professional"

 I'm sure we all have that one friend that thinks they are a professional but in reality they aren't. Today we will discuss The misusing of the word "professional", because I believe it is thrown around to easy. Now it use to be a point in time where if some one said they was a professional, the person they was telling that 2 instantly felt a sense of security with out seeing anything to back it up. Well nowadays since it has been poorly abused when u say you are a professional people aren't really moved by it. Let's think about the word professional. A professional is a member of a  certain profession. The term also describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the particular knowledge and skills necessary to perform the role of that profession. Now with that being said certain field require more than talent to be considered a professional. For instance in the audio field you need at least 1,000hrs.There are some people who feel you don't need a degree to "make it" or be a professional. I don't agree with that to much. I believe having some type of degree or certificate in the field you are active in, states that you where held by certain standards and you meet those standards. Let me know what you guys think about this. Do someone need a degree or certificate first in their field of interest before the can say they are a professional? Or is having hands on experience and good clout enough to be call a PROFESSIONAL.