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RE: OT-Upper Case in English?
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 7:09 pm
by CaptDave
Given the reason we're all here, it should also be appointed out that, by custom, ship names are italicized when possible, capitalized otherwise. So, picking the first one that comes to mind, references would be to Tang in the forums and TANG if you're emulating a WWII typewriter. (The article "the" is never used in reference to ships, either; it's not "the Enterprise," just simply "Enterprise" -- or "ENTERPRISE.")
RE: OT-Upper Case in English?
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 2:05 am
by Tiornu
Back in 1920, Mariner's Mirror had a lengthy discussion on the subject of the definite article in front of a ship's name. At that time, it was theorized that the new breed of young officers had picked up the habit of dropping the "the" from bon vivants who so addressed their yachts. The old school was a bit put off. After all, Nelson never referred to the Victory except as "the Victory."
Except that's not quite right. Nelson did occasionally get lazy and drop an article here or there. And what do you do when the ship's name is La Pernelle? "The the..."--really? I know no rule that dictates one usage here. Live free.
RE: OT-Upper Case in English?
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 2:06 am
by Tiornu
And no, I did not participate personally in that 1920 discussion. Wise guys....
RE: OT-Upper Case in English?
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 2:15 am
by Grunt
Interesting discussion about proper capitalization to read on my iPad.
RE: OT-Upper Case in English?
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 2:49 am
by geofflambert
ORIGINAL: CaptDave
Given the reason we're all here, it should also be appointed out that, by custom, ship names are italicized when possible, capitalized otherwise. So, picking the first one that comes to mind, references would be to Tang in the forums and TANG if you're emulating a WWII typewriter. (The article "the" is never used in reference to ships, either; it's not "the Enterprise," just simply "Enterprise" -- or "ENTERPRISE.")

RE: OT-Upper Case in English?
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 3:13 am
by Bullwinkle58
ORIGINAL: geofflambert
ORIGINAL: CaptDave
Given the reason we're all here, it should also be appointed out that, by custom, ship names are italicized when possible, capitalized otherwise. So, picking the first one that comes to mind, references would be to Tang in the forums and TANG if you're emulating a WWII typewriter. (The article "the" is never used in reference to ships, either; it's not "the Enterprise," just simply "Enterprise" -- or "ENTERPRISE.")
Which I always thought was hilarious, since "S.S." stands for "steamship", which (the) MINNOW certainly was not.[:'(]
RE: OT-Upper Case in English?
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:07 pm
by morganbj
ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
Another lowercase acronym: scuba
And fubar. [:D][:D][:D]