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Subject:FW: Boolean or boolean From:"Wittel, Teresa" <Twittel -at- NCSLINK -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 20 Nov 1997 13:31:47 -0700
Gee, I wrote Eric with the following advice and now I feel like a
traitor after reading everyone else's comments. What do you all think
about CMS's advice referenced below?
> ----------
> From: Wittel, Teresa
> Sent: Thursday, November 20, 1997 1:10 PM
> To: 'Eric Thomas'
> Subject: RE: Boolean or boolean
>
> You've already listed at least three authoritative opinions.
>
However, Boolean (as in Boolean algebra) is an adjective derived from a
proper noun. According to the Chicago Manual of Style, 14th Edition
(7.49), words derived from proper nouns can be either lowercase or
uppercase (depending on your personal preference) as long as it is
consistent within the manual. I have seen both versions and neither
interferes with my reading. Tell your engineers to leave the writing to
you, pick your favorite and stick with it.
> ----------
> From: Eric Thomas[SMTP:eathomas -at- DBITS -dot- COM]
> Sent: Thursday, November 20, 1997 12:33 PM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Boolean or boolean
>
> Here's a strange one... my engineers and I are having a discussion
> about
> whether to capitalize the "B" in Boolean operator or leave it
> lowercase.
> They insist that it should be lowercase - and have even made some
> jokes
> about only liberal arts majors capitalizing it. I've looked in
> Webster's
> New Unabridged dictionary, the American Heritage Dictionary and the
> Microsoft Manual of Style, and they all indicate that you always
> capitalize
> it. Does anyone have an authoritative opinion?
> Thanks.
> ______________________________________________________________________
> _
> Eric A. Thomas | We have no past
> eathomas -at- dbits -dot- com | We won't reach back
> Technical Writer | Keep with me forward
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>http://www.dbits.com | -Cyndi Lauper
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