Kamil Perry
There is some debate about whether Cheddar cheese should be capitalized. Some sources argue that it should be capitalized when referring to the cheese originating from the place called Cheddar in England. Additionally, capitalizing proper nouns, such as place names, is standard practice. However, others suggest that it is not necessary to capitalize Cheddar cheese because it has become a generic term through a process called 'genericization'. Ultimately, the capitalization of Cheddar cheese may depend on the context, style guide preferences, and whether it is being used as a proper noun or an adjectival modifier.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Capitalization of 'Cheddar cheese' | There is no consistent convention for the capitalization of 'Cheddar cheese'. Some sources suggest that it should be capitalized when referring to the cheese originating from the village of Cheddar in England, while others argue that it should be lowercase when used as an adjectival modifier before the word 'cheese'. |
| Proper Noun | Cheddar can be considered a proper noun as it designates a particular type of cheese, and it is often capitalized in reputable publications such as the New York Times and the Oxford English Dictionary. |
| Brand Names | In content marketing, brand names or product names are typically capitalized unless the company has a registered trademark style in lowercase. |
| Foodstuffs Named After Places | There is a convention to capitalize foodstuffs named after places, such as capitalizing 'C' in 'Cheddar cheese' as it originates from the village of Cheddar, or capitalizing 'K' in 'Kentucky bourbon'. |
| Consistency in Marketing Materials | It is important to maintain consistency in capitalization and formatting across marketing materials, and a style guide can help ensure a clean and professional final product. |
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What You'll Learn
- Cheddar is a place in England, so Cheddar cheese should be capitalised
- Genericisation: the process of proper nouns becoming assimilated into the general lexicon
- Foodstuffs named for places are usually capitalised, like Kentucky bourbon
- Proper nouns: nouns designating a particular being or thing, which are usually capitalised
- Brand names and product names are usually capitalised
Cheddar is a place in England, so Cheddar cheese should be capitalised
There is some debate about whether "Cheddar cheese" should be capitalised. One argument is that Cheddar is a place in England, and the cheese is named after this place, so it should be capitalised in the same way that other foods are capitalised when they are named after a place. For example, Boston cream pie has Boston capitalised, and Kentucky bourbon has Kentucky capitalised. Additionally, some style guides, such as the New York Times, Fine Cooking, and the Oxford English Dictionary, capitalise "Cheddar cheese".
However, others argue that it is not conventional to capitalise "Cheddar cheese" anymore. This could be because the word "Cheddar" has been genericised and assimilated into the general lexicon, so it is no longer seen as a proper noun that needs to be capitalised. Additionally, some style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style and the Association of Food Journalists' FOODSPELL, do not capitalise any words, including "Cheddar cheese".
Ultimately, there does not seem to be a definitive answer to whether "Cheddar cheese" should be capitalised, and different sources provide conflicting advice. Some writers choose to capitalise "Cheddar cheese" because they believe it is a proper noun or because they are following specific style guides, while others choose to lowercase it because they believe it has become a generic term or because they are following different style guides.
When deciding whether to capitalise "Cheddar cheese" or not, it is important to consider the context and the style guide or convention being followed. For example, in marketing materials, it is essential to maintain a clean, professional, and reader-friendly final product, so the capitalisation of proper nouns is worth the effort. In contrast, in journalistic writing, the Associated Press Stylebook is a commonly used resource for determining whether to capitalise a word.
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Genericisation: the process of proper nouns becoming assimilated into the general lexicon
The capitalisation of the word "Cheddar" in "Cheddar cheese" is a matter of debate. Some sources argue that it should be capitalised because Cheddar is a place in England that makes the cheese, and it is therefore a proper noun. According to this logic, other cheeses like Parmesan and Mozzarella should be capitalised as well. However, this is not always the case, and the usage is inconsistent.
The process of genericisation, where proper nouns become assimilated into the general lexicon, can provide some insight into the debate. Genericisation refers to the process by which a brand name becomes a generic term for a product, such as "Hoover" for vacuum cleaners. In the case of "Cheddar cheese", it is possible that the capitalisation of the word "Cheddar" has been lost due to genericisation. Over time, the term "Cheddar" may have become dissociated from its place of origin and become a common term for a type of cheese, resulting in the lowercasing of the word.
This theory is supported by the fact that some sources mention that it is not conventional to capitalise "Cheddar" anymore. Additionally, in marketing and content writing, excessive capitalisation of proper nouns can make an article look promotional and commercial. Therefore, writers may choose to lowercase "Cheddar" to avoid this impression.
However, there are still those who argue for capitalising "Cheddar" when referring to the cheese. They contend that it is a proper noun and should be treated as such. Reputable sources like the New York Times, Fine Cooking, and the Oxford English Dictionary have been cited as examples of publications that capitalise the word. Ultimately, the capitalisation of "Cheddar" in "Cheddar cheese" remains a matter of style and preference, with no clear consensus among writers and publications.
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Foodstuffs named for places are usually capitalised, like Kentucky bourbon
However, this rule is not always consistently applied. For instance, some writers may use ''swiss cheese' or 'waldorf salad' instead of 'Swiss cheese' or 'Waldorf salad'. The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition, states that "Personal, national, or geographical names, and words derived from such names, are often lowercased when used with a nonliteral meaning." This means that if a food term is derived from a proper noun but has lost its literal connection, it may be acceptable to lowercase it.
The New York Times style guide, for example, recommends lowercasing 'crêpes suzette', 'napoleon' (the pastry), 'brussels sprouts', and 'baked alaska'. On the other hand, it capitalises 'Bavarian cream' and 'French' in food names like 'French fries', 'French dressing', and 'French toast'.
Ultimately, there is no definitive right or wrong answer when it comes to capitalising food names. It is a stylistic choice, and even lexicographers cannot agree on a consistent rule. As a writer, you can choose to either always capitalise food terms derived from proper nouns or lowercase them when there is no longer a literal connection.
To maintain consistency in your writing, it is advisable to refer to a dictionary or a specific style guide, such as the AP Stylebook, and stick to its conventions.
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Proper nouns: nouns designating a particular being or thing, which are usually capitalised
Proper nouns are a specific type of noun in the English language. They refer to specific people, places, or things and are usually capitalised. For example, Sarah is a proper noun referring to a person, London is a proper noun referring to a place, and Eiffel Tower is a proper noun referring to a thing. While the rules of capitalisation for proper nouns are generally well-defined, there are certain instances where the correct capitalisation is less clear, such as when it comes to food items like cheese.
Cheddar cheese, for instance, has sparked some debate. Some argue that since "Cheddar" is the name of a place in England, which is also where the cheese originates, it should be capitalised. This is similar to how "Kentucky bourbon" is capitalised because it originates from Kentucky in the US. Additionally, reputable sources like the New York Times, Fine Cooking, and the Oxford English Dictionary capitalise "Cheddar".
However, others disagree and argue that it is not conventional to capitalise "Cheddar" anymore. They suggest that it has become a generic term for a type of cheese, similar to how "Swiss cheese" or "Portobello mushrooms" are not usually capitalised. The frequency of capitalisation may also depend on the context, as "Cheddar" is more likely to be capitalised when used as a noun and less likely when used adjectivally to modify "cheese".
Ultimately, the capitalisation of "Cheddar cheese" may depend on personal preference, house style, or the specific context in which it is being used. Some style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, recommend lowercasing it, while others, like the Recipe Writer's Handbook and Food Lover's Companion, suggest capitalising it. When in doubt, it is always a good idea to consult a style guide or a marketing/brand manager to ensure consistency and professionalism in your writing.
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Brand names and product names are usually capitalised
Firstly, it is essential to distinguish between proper nouns and common nouns. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a proper noun is "a noun that designates a particular being or thing, does not take a limiting modifier, and is usually capitalised in English". For example, Boston is a proper noun in "Boston Cream Pie". Similarly, in the context of wine, if the wine's name refers to a city or region, it is capitalised as a proper noun.
Secondly, when it comes to brand names and product names, capitalisation can depend on trademark status and popularity. Well-known and trademarked brands like Coke, Pepsi, and Apple are typically capitalised. Capitalisation helps protect a company's brand identity and strengthens market recognition. However, some brands choose to use lowercase in their names, such as "innocent smoothies", and this choice should be respected even in headers or titles. Additionally, some trademarked brand names have become generic terms over time, such as "refrigerator", and are now commonly written in lowercase.
Finally, when it comes to food products, the capitalisation of names derived from places of origin can be inconsistent. For example, "Cheddar cheese" is derived from the place Cheddar in England, and some argue that it should be capitalised for this reason. However, it is not always capitalised, possibly due to genericisation or a shift in convention. Similarly, "Parmesan" cheese, derived from the northern provinces of Parma, is sometimes written as "parmeggiano" or "parmeggiano-reggiano".
To navigate these complexities, it is advisable to refer to a brand's trademark information on its website or consult a trademark attorney. Creating an in-house style guide can also help maintain consistency in capitalisation across all communication platforms.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no consistent rule for capitalizing "Cheddar cheese". Some sources suggest that it should be capitalized because it is named after a place in England, while others argue that it has become a generic term and therefore does not need to be capitalized.
The inconsistency in the capitalization of "Cheddar cheese" may be due to the process of "genericization", where a proper noun becomes assimilated into common language and loses its capitalization.
If you are following a specific style guide, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, you should adhere to its guidelines for capitalization. If you are writing for a specific publication or brand, refer to their style guide or ask the marketing director or brand manager.
The capitalization of "Cheddar cheese" may depend on the context and style guide you are following. While some sources suggest that it should always be capitalized, others argue that it is not necessary and may even make your writing appear overly promotional. Ultimately, the decision may come down to personal preference or the style guide of the publication you are writing for.
