Mom, mom, step-mom, Step-Mom and so on ...

[sun_sea_sky]

I'm trying to do a story about a step mother.

I want to get two things right:

• The hyphen
• Capitalization

Oh, yeah, and it's supposed to be erotic, but we'll let that pass for now.

1. The hyphen

Would you generally say:

• stepmom
• step-mom
• step mom

2. Capitalization

Some research shows you capitalize mom or dad if you could replace their actual names in a sentence. eg.

I gave a book to Dad. (Compare: I gave a book to Peter)
I gave a book to my dad. (Compare: I gave a book to my Peter --- which doesn't make sense)

OK, now let's consider my (hypothetical) step mother. Which of these would be right?

• I hoped stepmom would leave the room.
• I hoped step-mom would leave the room.
• I hoped stepMom would leave the room.
• I hoped Stepmom would leave the room.
• I hoped step-Mom would leave the room.
• I hoped Step-Mom would leave the room.
• I hoped Step Mom would leave the room.

It seems clearer if I add the possessive, like this:

• I hoped my stepmom would leave the room.
• I hoped my step-mom would leave the room.
• I hoped my step mom would leave the room.

 

[JustaSCOUNDREL]

I'm trying to do a story about a step mother.

I want to get two things right:

• The hyphen
• Capitalization

Oh, yeah, and it's supposed to be erotic, but we'll let that pass for now.

1. The hyphen

Would you generally say:

• stepmom
• step-mom
• step mom

2. Capitalization

Some research shows you capitalize mom or dad if you could replace their actual names in a sentence. eg.



OK, now let's consider my (hypothetical) step mother. Which of these would be right?

• I hoped stepmom would leave the room.
• I hoped step-mom would leave the room.
• I hoped stepMom would leave the room.
• I hoped Stepmom would leave the room.
• I hoped step-Mom would leave the room.
• I hoped Step-Mom would leave the room.
• I hoped Step Mom would leave the room.

It seems clearer if I add the possessive, like this:

• I hoped my stepmom would leave the room.
• I hoped my step-mom would leave the room.
• I hoped my step mom would leave the room.

A very quick Google search and Websters says no space or hyphen between step and any other word. Stepmother, stepfather step(whatever) is one word no matter how it is used.

I will also add it was verified by my wife who is the original spelling and grammar Nazi. (G)

As for the caps of dad. If you are using dad, father, etc in lieu of a proper name "Then Dad said" use caps

but as a generic description such as "My dad said" no caps.

I hope this helps.

Mike

 

[sun_sea_sky]

OK, thanks. By way of explanation though, I Googled:

step-mom site:literotica.com

All three formats appeared in story excerpts in about equal frequency:

• stepmother
• step-mother
• step mother

Maybe stepmother/stepmom occurs a bit more often but the other variants certainly occur reasonably often (like, at least once on every Google page result).

Then I Google "step-mom" and get a result titled "Ten tips to being a good step-mom". The excerpt (in Google) says "Being a step mom is scary."

I suppose the logical thing to do is think about it like grandfather or grandmother, where you don't separate or hyphenate.

 

[topace]

OK, thanks. By way of explanation though, I Googled:

step-mom site:literotica.com

All three formats appeared in story excerpts in about equal frequency:

• stepmother
• step-mother
• step mother

Maybe stepmother/stepmom occurs a bit more often but the other variants certainly occur reasonably often (like, at least once on every Google page result).

Then I Google "step-mom" and get a result titled "Ten tips to being a good step-mom". The excerpt (in Google) says "Being a step mom is scary."

I suppose the logical thing to do is think about it like grandfather or grandmother, where you don't separate or hyphenate.

That last bit sounds logical to me.

To be honest, it's not as taboo as a direct parent, but it's still taboo (and thus sexy/hot/wrong to some people).

 

[oggbashan]

Note: British usage does not usually include 'mom' in any form. We understand it, but perhaps not all the associations that go with 'mom', but don't use it.

Stepmothers are stepmothers. Mom is 'Mum'.

Stepmothers are 'wicked' in the bad sense thanks to fairy tales.

'Mom and apple pie' doesn't mean much to Brits.

Most of us would understand MILF, even if some MILFs in pictures are unlikely to have been a 'mom' or 'mum'.

 

[sun_sea_sky]

<sigh>

Mom is 'Mum'.

I realize that. Personally I would spell it Mum, but I would probably lose more people than I gain. And as for apple pie?

I just don't know any more. To be true to my origins it would be Mum, colour, and "root" isn't something that grows out of the bottom of a tree. Oh yes, and an ass is a donkey, and an arse is what is you sit on.

 

[Handley_Page]

Note: British usage does not usually include 'mom' in any form. We understand it, but perhaps not all the associations that go with 'mom', but don't use it.

Stepmothers are stepmothers. Mom is 'Mum'.

Stepmothers are 'wicked' in the bad sense thanks to fairy tales.

'Mom and apple pie' doesn't mean much to Brits.

Most of us would understand MILF, even if some MILFs in pictures are unlikely to have been a 'mom' or 'mum'.

I concur.
However there are idiots (most recently seen in the funeral flower trade) who used 'Mom.
And, broadly speaking, we tend not to refer to our Step-mothers except as 'Mum' unless we are very grown-up and Dad has gone daft and re-married.



'

 

[sun_sea_sky]

Wait ... this will affect my entire story.

You normally call her Mum unless bio-Dad has gone daft? Is that it?

 

[Handley_Page]

Wait ... this will affect my entire story.

You normally call her Mum unless bio-Dad has gone daft? Is that it?

See your In-Box for a PM.

If Dad is in his dotage and re-marries, the kids (by now probably all grown up) would hardly call her Mum or even Mom. Said kids might regard him as going daft!

 

[oggbashan]

Wait ... this will affect my entire story.

You normally call her Mum unless bio-Dad has gone daft? Is that it?

In UK use, stepmother or variants are only likely to be used if it is necessary to distinguish between the birth mother and the father's current partner, such as in a formal situation.

As Handley_Page said, 'mum' would be the normal term for a stepmother UNLESS the relationship is disliked/unwelcome.

But 'mum' would be unlikely if the father remarried when his children were adult. If they accept the relationship, she would probably be called by her first name.

If she was a much younger version, especially if the approximate age of the children, first name would be usual - if the children acknowledged her. If not - any derogatory term including "wicked stepmother" might be used.

 

[MatthewVett]

OK, now let's consider my (hypothetical) step mother. Which of these would be right?

• I hoped stepmom would leave the room.
• I hoped step-mom would leave the room.
• I hoped stepMom would leave the room.
• I hoped Stepmom would leave the room.
• I hoped step-Mom would leave the room.
• I hoped Step-Mom would leave the room.
• I hoped Step Mom would leave the room.

It seems clearer if I add the possessive, like this:

• I hoped my stepmom would leave the room.
• I hoped my step-mom would leave the room.
• I hoped my step mom would leave the room.

Personally, as someone who has a step-mother, I would never think of her as "step-mother." I would instead think, "I hoped Slagathor* would leave the room."
*Not real name

In situations like the former, I would just use her name or she. In the latter, I would use step-mother. Hyphens tend to be a good middle ground, and if not the most correct, they're rarely wrong.

 

[sun_sea_sky]

Thanks for all the suggestions (and the PM).

 

[Handley_Page]

I'm trying to do a story about a step mother.


OK, now let's consider my (hypothetical) step mother. Which of these would be right?

• I hoped stepmom would leave the room.
• I hoped step-mom would leave the room.
• I hoped stepMom would leave the room.
• I hoped Stepmom would leave the room.
• I hoped step-Mom would leave the room.
• I hoped Step-Mom would leave the room.
• I hoped Step Mom would leave the room.

It seems clearer if I add the possessive, like this:

• I hoped my stepmom would leave the room.
• I hoped my step-mom would leave the room.
• I hoped my step mom would leave the room.

Personally, I'd write it something like this

"and I sincerely hoped my stepmother would leave"

which is about as cold a reference to the bloody woman as one might get whilst staying polite.

If I could offer a tip; Don't use 'Mom'. Do it the way you have it where you live.