Capitalization vs. Lowercased Words

[Keira]

This topic has been touched on in other threads, but I had a fairly general question that may or may not have a definite answer. What constitutes the right for the words 'Soc' and 'Social' to be capitalized, where as 'greaser' tends to be lowercased? They're both classes of people. Both real terms to classify them. What's the difference?

[Rock]

Thats a good question. Yet another thing I never thought of...just goes to show how observant I can be. .

And I have no idea.

Does anyone else?

Rock

[Tensleep]

If had to guess I would think it would be another subtle class separation. Soc capitalized as a title and greaser left low as in status. I dunno, I find it's easier to just not capitalize it.

See ya in the funny papers!!!

Tens

[Keira]

I had actually thought of that too, but didn't know if it held any sort of relevance or if that was me being sadistic again. Lol.

[zevie]

I like that idea too!

I was thinking maybe it's also a way of rejecting the term "greaser" a little. Capilizing "Social" makes it official, and I don't remember anyone being offended by being called a Soc. But, "greaser" has a sort of derogatory element to it - like it's not a word someone in the "higher" circles would use to describe that group of people.

I don't know...I usually forget to capitalize Soc. My bad.

[printandpolish]

This is funny, it's like you were in my head the other night. If you read my 'rumble' story, you'll see I used Soc and greaser. I had them both capitalized, then I lower-cased the greaser for exactly that reason -- to separate them even more.

[akanechan]

I personally thought it was because Soc was a specific name of a group of people of the West-side of Tulsa. If it's specific, it's a proper noun. If it's a proper noun, then it would be capitalized. For greaser, it wouldn't really be capilatlized because it's well...general. I thought it was just another word for 'gangster' or 'hood' or something.

Then again, I may be wrong.

[Keira]

Lol, no she doesn't think we're crazy. On the contrary she's pretty impressed that we can take her book and turn it into something that teaches us how to become better authors.

[Keira]

Well, that's a bit of a mash up from what she's said in the past and on CT's show, along with what she told me. Her basic message from the radio show was "Fanfiction is fun. Have fun with it, hopefully it'll help people become better authors." and in a note she sent to me she said, "Freedom is a big part of writing... I hope some of you can go on to create your own world."

[BlindedxxFalcon]

This is a very good question...I just find it easier to just leave both lowercased. Unless soc or greaser is at the beginning of a sentance, lol. And wow.