Latin in medicine, the law, etc.

I have no doubt the reason the use of Latin in the "learned" professions stuck on past the 18th century is entirely a matter of snobbery. You can't really make out a case for Latin being more useful than English; it's just a matter of defining a clahss (as we Yanks disdainfully call it).

That said, I have a question for all of you who speak non-American English: Why is the venue for surgical procedures called an operating theatre? (We call it an operating room). It certainly isn't a place of entertainment. (Except on TV). Your thoughts? (I don't expect facts, but then I wouldn't be at all surprised if someone came up with facts).