# Learn how to capitalize, dumbass corporations **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 8, 2001, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959 "2001-01-08T04:53:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![City\_Gent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a87d85/32.png) [@City\_Gent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/City_Gent)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/1 "2001-01-08T04:53:35Z")
What’s with these stupid fucking company names with capital letters in the middle of the freaking word? You know what I mean: names like DaimlerChrysler, NationsBank, ExxonMobil, and the absolute worst offender, PricewaterhouseCoopers. That one probably cost their shareholders a million bucks for one of those bonebrained “Name Consultants”. Or are they “NameConsultants”? Maybe if I change my name to “CityGent”, I will be able to leverage exciting new opportunities on the StraightDopeMessageBoard. Or maybe everyone will realize that only shitheads try to spell multi-word names without spaces. The Germans have their word chains (“visitatenkartenhalter”) but they have the sense not to put random capitals in the middle of the word. It just toasts my giblets, I tell you. I make an exception for screen names, for the practical reason that some boards used to choke on names with spaces in them. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/2 "2001-01-08T05:53:00Z")
City: Oh my god. Raping our environment, shredding the fabric of our society, and abrogating the decisions of democratically-elected governments has _nothing_ on this. That should be the next big protest. Capitalists Can’t Capitalize! We could get k.d. lang and ani difranco to headline. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/3 "2001-01-08T06:10:27Z")
InterCapping has been around at least as long as the original 128K Macintosh in 1984 (MacWrite, anyone?). It’s apparently come to be seen as “progressive” over the years. If you ain’t used to a decades-old capitalization practice, ToughTitty. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7feea3/32.png) [@The\_Ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ryan)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/4 "2001-01-08T08:46:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by City Gent \* > The Germans have their word chains (“visitatenkartenhalter”) but they have the sense not to put random capitals in the middle of the word. Oh, yeah? What about those stupid capital "B"s that they have everywhere? They don’t even write them correctly! ::d&r:: ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/5 "2001-01-08T08:57:21Z")
> [@](#): > > like DaimlerChrysler, NationsBank, ExxonMobil, and the absolute worst offender, PricewaterhouseCoopers You forgot stuff like “iMac”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![bj0rn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@bj0rn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bj0rn)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/6 "2001-01-08T15:23:03Z")
… bj0rn - trying to understand 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/7 "2001-01-08T15:38:17Z")
It’s **PriceWaterhouseCoopers** , even. And _Visitenkartenhalter_ is, like any German noun, supposed to be capitalised - even mid-sentence. Capitalising mid-word doesn’t bother me, personally. ColdFire ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/8 "2001-01-08T15:55:54Z")
> [@](#): > > The Germans have their word chains (“visitatenkartenhalter”) but they have the sense not to put random capitals in the middle of the word. > [@](#): > > **Names like DaimlerChrysler.** Yes…glad they don’t do that. [sub]resisting temptation, resisting temptation…argggggg[/sub] UsA CorPoRAtions is KeWlz!!! ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/9 "2001-01-08T16:08:22Z")
Once we get my legislation passed outlawing the use of misspellings like “Kwik” and “Qwik” in products and convenience store chains, then maybe, just maybe, we can visit your beef and see if the authorities need to step in. But don’t even think about trying to bump your issue before mine, Bub. Frankly, I think it makes it a lot easier to read run-together names. It’s like the challenge I face with thinksnow’s user name. It is ThinkSnow (as in, he’s a ski freak?) or is it the more mysterious ThinksNow? There is at least one business here in town that confuses me every time because I don’t know where the word break is. Not that I can remember the place to save my life and share with you. ---
**Author:** ![Humble\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/47e85d/32.png) [@Humble\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Humble_Servant)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/10 "2001-01-08T16:18:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Coldfire \* > **It’s PriceWaterhouseCoopers, even.** Hey, **ColDfire** , I have a piece of **PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP** letterhead in my hands and at least in the US the “w” is lower case. What, you want image consultants to be consistent?😉 Many of these hybrid names are the result of mergers, and they can actually tell something about who the dominant party really is in a “merger of equals” (in this case, it looks like waterhouse–not to mention Lybrand, part of Coopers’ old name–got the short end of the stick). ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/11 "2001-01-08T17:47:30Z")
The practice that so annoys the author of the OP has really tken hold with recent megamergers, where for the sake of internal politics and customer recognition, it is deemed that both names of the merged parties must be included. There seems to be no good solution; either we get indigestible mouthfuls like Burlington Northern Santa Fe, or ludicrous invented words like Verizon and Accenture. Anti-trust tip: If the merged corporation is so large as to require that it be named in this fashion, the merger application should be turned down.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/12 "2001-01-08T18:57:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > \*\*Once we get my legislation passed outlawing the use of misspellings like “Kwik” and “Qwik” in products and convenience store chains, then maybe, just maybe, we can visit your beef and see if the authorities need to step in. But don’t even think about trying to bump your issue before mine, Bub. > \*\* My phone company is now “Qwest” instead of “US West.” Not only that, but they’ve put the name up in huge blue letters on the top of one of the downtown skyscrapers. Cranky, can you please deal with this for me? Having to write a check to “Qwest” every month is driving me bonkers. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/13 "2001-01-08T20:32:15Z")
_sob_ :::slinks off in shame::: ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/14 "2001-01-08T20:48:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by City Gent \* > \*\*What’s with these stupid fucking company names with capital letters in the middle of the freaking word? You know what I mean: names like DaimlerChrysler, NationsBank, ExxonMobil, and the absolute worst offender, PricewaterhouseCoopers. That one probably cost their shareholders a million bucks for one of those bonebrained “Name Consultants”. Or are they “NameConsultants”? > > Maybe if I change my name to “CityGent”, I will be able to leverage exciting new opportunities on the StraightDopeMessageBoard. Or maybe everyone will realize that only shitheads try to spell multi-word names without spaces. The Germans have their word chains (“visitatenkartenhalter”) but they have the sense not to put random capitals in the middle of the word. > > It just toasts my giblets, I tell you. > > I make an exception for screen names, for the practical reason that some boards used to choke on names with spaces in them. \*\* Fool! The two name-one word thing comes because they are two separate companies that merged. If my house/family was a company, I would be Ryan HassonMead ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/15 "2001-01-08T22:06:57Z")
There’s a name for everything. In this case the name is [BiCapitalization](http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/jargon/html/entry/BiCapitalization.html) (not to be confused with [studlycaps](http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/jargon/html/entry/studlycaps.html)). ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/16 "2001-01-08T23:06:26Z")
\> My phone company is now “Qwest” instead of “US West.” Not \> only that, but they’ve put the name up in huge blue \> letters on the top of one of the downtown skyscrapers. One skyscraper? I don’t know where you’re viewing the Denver skyline from, but on my approach to LoDo I see _two_ Qwest-branded high-rises. A friend out in Morrison, some 20 miles from downtown, can make out the signs quite clearly from her house. Thankfully, Denver has relatively few billboards compared to many other similarly sized cities, so we aren’t bombarded with ads that are next to impossible to tune out. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/17 "2001-01-08T23:18:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > Frankly, I think it makes it a lot easier to read run-together names. It’s like the challenge I face with thinksnow’s user name. It is ThinkSnow (as in, he’s a ski freak?) or is it the more mysterious ThinksNow? There is at least one business here in town that confuses me every time because I don’t know where the word break is. Not that I can remember the place to save my life and share with you. There was a billboard on my way home for several months for [skinh.com](http://skinh.com). I always thought “skinheads?” before realizing it was for skiing in New Hampshire. Intercapitalization would have been a relief. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/18 "2001-01-08T23:38:53Z")
elmwood and Athena, two Qwest signs it is. I personally hate them. if they were less prominent, I wouldn’t be annoyed, but GOD, do they stick out like a sore thumb with a vise grip attached. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c2a13f/32.png) [@The\_Man\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_Who)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/19 "2001-01-09T01:09:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Athena \* > \*\* > My phone company is now “Qwest” instead of “US West.” Not only that, but they’ve put the name up in huge blue letters on the top of one of the downtown skyscrapers. Cranky, can you please deal with this for me? Having to write a check to “Qwest” every month is driving me bonkers. \*\* Try writing the check to “Qwisp” and see what happens. Cordially, Myron M. Meyer The Man Who ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c2a13f/32.png) [@The\_Man\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_Who)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2001, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959/20 "2001-01-09T01:13:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > \*\*Once we get my legislation passed outlawing the use of misspellings like “Kwik” and “Qwik” in products and convenience store chains, then maybe, just maybe, we can visit your beef and see if the authorities need to step in. \*\* Sorry, but the Kum and Go chain has high-paid lobbyists preventing this legislation from passing. Good thing, too. Cordially, MyronM.Meyer TheManWho Seriously. Ask anyone is South Dakota or Iowa. Real convenience store chain. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learn-how-to-capitalize-dumbass-corporations/48959.md?page=2)