The Capitalization of Google as a Verb
Is “Google” still capitalized when it’s something you do, not something you use? Even the authorities can’t seem to agree on a consistent rule.
The Q & A on registered trademarks at the web site of the Chicago Manual of Style comes down on the side of capitalization. Meanwhile WordWizard answers the Google-verb capitalization question with a quote from the very same famous style manual, this time declaring the answer to be a very firm “it depends”:
Nouns, adjectives and verbs derived from personal, national or geographical names are often lowercased when used with a specialized meaning. According to some authorities, however, certain of these ought to be capitalized. Authors and editors must decide for themselves, but whatever choice is made should be followed consistently throughout a work.
— Chicago Manual of Style, 14th Ed. 7.49
Well, glad we’ve gotten that all settled.
For the purposes of clarity and readability, this weblog will not be capitalizing the verb form of “google.” Verbs are not traditionally capitalized, and doing so breaks with reader expectations of what a sentence should look like. This decreases readability and may cause re-reading. It’s also a sign of the creeping trademark fascism that corporations are trying to impose upon the natural evolution of the English language, but that’s a rant for another time.
You are so my hero for address this pressing question of our generation.
I too, will not be capitalizing “google” when used as a verb. Which I tend to use while speaking much more frequently than typing, so it may be a moot point.
Comment by Jen — June 14, 2004 @ 3:49 pm
I’m always happy to address the burning questions of a generation. For our ancestors of an earlier era it might have been, “Who put the bop in the bop shoo bop shoo bop, and why?” For us, it’s Google grammar.
The times may change, but the urgency of the questions does not. I am proud to rise to the challenge for my generation!
Jeez, you make it all sound so important and stuff.
Comment by Adam M. — June 15, 2004 @ 4:48 pm
[…] I’d heard “google” here and there, but wondered whether it should be capitalized when used as a verb. I found my answer at 8 Ways to Sunday: […]
Pingback by Surfnetkids Journal: Google the Verb — September 19, 2005 @ 6:26 pm
to town, you can tell him you tried to look him up ages ago, but he was just too “Google resistant.” Finally, on the issue of whether or not to capitalize the “Google,” use your best judgement, but know that the debate is still raging over whether or not to capitalize the verb .
Pingback by David Dylan Thomas :: Blog — November 18, 2005 @ 2:34 am