The P.Eng society is working on this, so that only actual engineers can use the title engineer.

Which is why I specified I was talking about the US. Also, fair. If the term ever actually has a clear set of requirements, then of course it would be incorrect to claim the title without meeting those requirements.

Software “engineers” should just be called code monkeys.

I hope you realize how elitist this comes across. I've worked with a lot of contractors, web developers, etc. that have a strong understanding of software development and are able to author software really well. I would be so embarrassed if they knew I referred to them as "code monkeys". Something tells me that you're the kind of person I'm very grateful to have never had the misfortune of working with.