Re: [tied] Vocative Capitalization.

--- In cybalist@..., "petegray" <petegray@...> wrote:

> Capitalisation of vocatives.
>
> Nice idea, but it doesn't stand up. We also use common nouns in

addresses.

>
> What about addresses such as :
> O mouse, (Alice in Wonderland)
> Friends, Romans, citizens, give me your ears
> (not *Citizens)
> Thou still unravished bride of quietness...
> (not *Bride)
>
> Peter

Yes, it is a nice idea, and yes, it does not completely stand up, but
it sure works as a shorthand way of explaining certain of the very
difficult English capitalization rules. It's Friends, Romans,
Countrymen, and I'd cap all three. 'O mouse' is strange to begin with,
but in looking at it, I'd also cap 'mouse'.

'Thou' is the vocative. Pronouns behave as common nouns so far as
capitalization.