Deb asked me "Why is the Internet capitalized?"
To which I replied, "Is it?" I'd never paid attention, but then I'm not an English teacher. Sure enough, a Google search reveals the Internet is usually capitalized.
I have no idea why. It's not a proper name, such as the name of a company, a country, or a person. We don't listen to the Radio, or watch Television, or read a Newspaper (even if that newspaper is The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal!)
To which I replied, "Is it?" I'd never paid attention, but then I'm not an English teacher. Sure enough, a Google search reveals the Internet is usually capitalized.
I have no idea why. It's not a proper name, such as the name of a company, a country, or a person. We don't listen to the Radio, or watch Television, or read a Newspaper (even if that newspaper is The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal!)
Because it is indeed a proper noun. It is a place. Radio, television, or newspapers are not unique.
ReplyDeleteThe New York Times and Wall Street Journal are proper nouns since you are referring to a unique entity.
Besides, English is a silly mongrel language with arbitrary rules.