the.com/distinction
The line between two things, drawn so finely only the snob can see it.
means A clear difference between things, or the quality of being excellent and worthy of honor.
from From Latin distinguere, to separate by pricking — distinctus literally means separated by tiny marks, as if reality came pre-perforated.
two meaningsBoth the difference and the honor for noticing it.
academic flairGraduating with distinction means beating the grading curve.
hairsplitting kinA distinction without a difference is rhetoric's favorite trap.