A question about capitalizing pet names.

[Vix_Giovanni]

I know that common pet names (e.g., “honey” or “baby”) are lower case when replacing a proper name. And conversely, that unusual pet names are capitalized, e.g., “Miss Meow” for Esther the neighborhood cat lady or “Ladybug” for Helga who loves to wear red.

But are frequently used but not common pet names capitalized, such as “Snookums” (or is it “snookums”)?

 

[KeithD]

Do you reserve the pet name for just one throughout (cap) it, or is it a generic term you are likely to apply to more than one? (don't cap it.) Yes, it's squishy in practice, which means you fall back on "be internally consistent."

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

Do you reserve the pet name for just one throughout (cap) it, or is it a generic term you are likely to apply to more than one? (don't cap it.) Yes, it's squishy in practice, which means you fall back on "be internally consistent."

Thanks, KeithD! Yes, squishy. But this is better guidance than I'd had so far. I'll keep it one reserved pet name and keep its use consistent.

Much appreciated!

 

[ElectricBlue]

I know that common pet names (e.g., “honey” or “baby”) are lower case when replacing a proper name. And conversely, that unusual pet names are capitalized, e.g., “Miss Meow” for Esther the neighborhood cat lady or “Ladybug” for Helga who loves to wear red.

But are frequently used but not common pet names capitalized, such as “Snookums” (or is it “snookums”)?

I'd capitalise if it was a pet name specific to a character and used consistently as such - although I'm inconsistent on that myself, as evidenced by this example:

Lucy knew what she wanted, impaled on Alex's hot, hard cock, but she wanted everything else as well; to be embraced by him, to be perfectly posed like a picture to be gazed at by him, to be caressed by his delicate fingers feather light like a breath from him, his voice sighing in her ear, "Beauty." Just one simple word and it was his name for her.

"Am I, Alex? Your beautiful Lucy?" 'I've never been a beautiful Lucy before. How does he know the right words?'

"Beautiful Lucy? Oh, I think so, beauty, I really think so."

And the thing Lucy noticed, right then and right there, was that Alex called her 'beauty' like it was her name, not 'my beauty' like she was a possession.

 

[DryLips]

I know that common pet names (e.g., “honey” or “baby”) are lower case when replacing a proper name. And conversely, that unusual pet names are capitalized, e.g., “Miss Meow” for Esther the neighborhood cat lady or “Ladybug” for Helga who loves to wear red.

But are frequently used but not common pet names capitalized, such as “Snookums” (or is it “snookums”)?

Vix - Pet names are not capitalized (sweetie, dear, pumpkin, pookie, etc). If it's a nickname, then that's a different story, because it replaces the actual name. A lesson I have to keep relearning over and over, it seems.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

Vix - Pet names are not capitalized (sweetie, dear, pumpkin, pookie, etc). If it's a nickname, then that's a different story, because it replaces the actual name. A lesson I have to keep relearning over and over, it seems.

Yes; those are the same rules I pointed out above (and to your point, yes, a nickname, too, such as "Bennie" for "Benjamin" is capitalized like a personal pet name). But I think that KeithD's point about the consistency despite the squishiness of less frequent pet names will help us both: capitalize, personalize (don't use that same pet name for other characters which makes a lot of sense) and be consistent.

 

[DryLips]

Thanks, KeithD! Yes, squishy. But this is better guidance than I'd had so far. I'll keep it one reserved pet name and keep its use consistent.

Much appreciated!

I found an entry in the CMOS online Q&A that strengthens this.

A. Chicago’s preferred style has always been to lowercase pet names, but you can’t go wrong unless you’re inconsistent, since the issue is guided by preference rather than rule. Please see section 8.39 of the 15th edition. (The issue is not addressed in the 16th or 17th editions.)

 

[TheWorldBuilder]

Chicago’s preferred style has always been to lowercase pet names, but you can’t go wrong unless you’re inconsistent

UK usage would tend more to an initial capital for any personal name but, again, consistency is paramount. My last lady was honey, love, sweet or darling; but always Kitten.

 

[Lit_Zombie]

Think of it this way

If it is that persons Name for them. It should be capitalized.

In MY head every girlfriend I have ever had has their own name. I don't reuse them. So " Babe" and "Sweets" and even "Honey" (the cheating *%^) have Names in my head. But, in dialogue the capitals can be forgotten unless the subjects know that its a Name for someone.

My friends know who Honey is and that's why its a name. That's why its capitalized.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

If it is that persons Name for them. It should be capitalized.

In MY head every girlfriend I have ever had has their own name. I don't reuse them. So " Babe" and "Sweets" and even "Honey" (the cheating *%^) have Names in my head. But, in dialogue the capitals can be forgotten unless the subjects know that its a Name for someone.

My friends know who Honey is and that's why its a name. That's why its capitalized.

Perhaps it’s different over the pond. In American style, you don’t capitalize common pet names, i.e., terms of endearment.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

I found an entry in the CMOS online Q&A that strengthens this.

A. Chicago’s preferred style has always been to lowercase pet names, but you can’t go wrong unless you’re inconsistent, since the issue is guided by preference rather than rule. Please see section 8.39 of the 15th edition. (The issue is not addressed in the 16th or 17th editions.)

I have the 16th edition; this could be why I don’t have the notes on the rule. Thanks so much!

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

UK usage would tend more to an initial capital for any personal name but, again, consistency is paramount. My last lady was honey, love, sweet or darling; but always Kitten.

A quick and sweet illustration of my question and correct consistent usage Thank you, this anecdote does make the distinctions easier to remember.

 

[Lit_Zombie]

hmmm formal names....

Text:

hey baby how are you?

Email:

Hey Baby,
How are you?

formality:

Call all my girlfriends baby vs call them all nicknames. and this one's is Baby...

It becomes a pronoun when you want it to be in your story.

Or life ;-)

 

[wooodyme]

I'm impressed! CMOS used as a guide for porn pet names? Actually I stick to either Turabian or the AP Style Guide. Much easier to use.

Mostly, it seems to me is to be consistent within that piece of writing. There are a lot of style points to remember and I am one who gets lost when writers mix and match.

Good luck everyone!
Woody