Anisha Riggs
The use of the term perfume and its variants is a topic that sparks interest in grammar enthusiasts and marketers alike. While the word perfume is not typically capitalised, the product name often is. This is because proper nouns, which are specific names, are generally capitalised. For example, President Edward Montgomery is correct, whereas Edward Montgomery, president does not capitalise the title. The same logic applies to product names, where the generic product name is not capitalised, but the specific product name is. This distinction is particularly interesting in the fragrance industry, where the generic term perfume is often used interchangeably with specific product names like Cologne or aftershave.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Whether to capitalize the word 'perfume' | The word 'perfume' is a common noun, so it should not be capitalized. However, if it is used as part of a brand name or proper noun, it may be capitalized. |
| Whether 'perfume' is a gendered term | While some associate 'perfume' with women and 'cologne' with men, this is primarily an American cultural distinction. In British English, 'aftershave' is typically used for men's fragrances, and 'cologne' is used for fragrances with a lower alcohol content. |
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What You'll Learn
Proper nouns are capitalised in English
In the English language, proper nouns are always capitalised. Proper nouns refer to specific names for a particular person, place, or thing. They are sometimes called 'proper names' because they endow nouns with a specific name. Proper nouns are the opposite of common nouns, which represent general people, places, or things but nothing specific.
Proper nouns include the names and titles of people, entities, or groups. For example, "President Washington", "George Washington", and "Mr." are all proper nouns that would be capitalised. Historical names that include descriptive words often follow the rules for title capitalisation, with prominent words capitalised and small words like "the" or "of" in lower case. For example, "Ivan the Terrible".
When referring to a place, it is important to capitalise the name. This applies to everything from tiny Deer Creek to the massive planet Jupiter. Countries, nationalities, and languages are also considered proper nouns and are thus capitalised. For example, "English", "Mandarin", and "Swahili".
Days and months are also capitalised because they are proper nouns. For example, "Easter fell on the first Sunday in April". When words like "day" or "month" are used generally, they are not capitalised. Seasons, on the other hand, are not capitalised.
Proper nouns can also refer to unique objects, landmarks, or works of art. For example, "The Eiffel Tower", "The Mona Lisa", and "The Lord of the Flies". Song titles are also considered proper nouns and are thus capitalised. For example, "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Imagine", and "Billie Jean".
Trademarked names are another example of proper nouns that should be capitalised. For instance, "Styrofoam", "Xerox", and "Kleenex".
In summary, proper nouns in English are always capitalised, regardless of their position in a sentence. This consistent capitalisation helps to distinguish them from common nouns and adds specificity and clarity to writing.
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Titles are not capitalised when used with names
In English, there are three types of words that are typically capitalized: the first word in a sentence, the pronoun "I", and proper nouns. Proper nouns are specific names for people, places, or things and are always capitalized in English, no matter where they fall in a sentence. For example, a person's first and last name, middle name, nickname, and suffixes like "Jr." are all capitalized.
However, when it comes to titles, the rules are slightly different. In general, titles are not capitalized when they are used in conjunction with a person's name. For example, it is preferable to write "Edward Montgomery, president" instead of "President Edward Montgomery." This is especially true for titles consisting of more than one word. So, it is better to use "John Doe, director of alumni services" instead of "Director of Alumni Services John Doe."
Similarly, certain words identifying occupations or professions are considered pseudo-titles and should not be capitalized even if they precede the name. For example, one should write "attorney Jane Doe" or "pianist John Doe" instead of "Attorney Jane Doe" or "Pianist John Doe." This rule also applies to titles used in conjunction with the name of an office, department, or program.
It is worth noting that the capitalization of titles can vary depending on the style guide being used. Some style guides may have different preferences, so it is always good to double-check with the specific format or style guide you are following.
Additionally, there are some exceptions to the rule of capitalizing proper nouns. For example, common nouns are only capitalized when they are used as part of a specific name. For instance, "chapel" and "library" are usually lowercase, but "Kanley Chapel" and "Waldo Library" are capitalized.
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Capitalisation after colons depends on their use
The use of capitalisation after a colon depends on the context and the style guide being used.
American English
In American English, the first word after a colon may be capitalised if it begins a complete sentence. For example: "I think of all the things I've put up with: There's the time in third grade when..." However, it is important to note that this is not a universal rule and other style guides may have different recommendations.
British English
In British English, the general rule is that the first letter after a colon is capitalised only if it is a proper noun or an acronym. For example: "The countries involved in the study were: Canada, USA, and Brazil." Here, the capitalisation after the colon is used because the words are proper nouns.
Lists and Dependent Clauses
When a colon introduces a list or a dependent clause, the first word after the colon is generally not capitalised, regardless of the style guide being used. For example: "I have three tasks to complete: check my references, proofread for typos, and read the document out loud." Here, the first word after the colon is not capitalised because it is part of a list.
The Chicago Manual of Style
The Chicago Manual of Style offers a unique perspective on capitalisation after colons. According to this style guide, the word following a colon should be capitalised only if there are two explanatory sentences following the colon. For example: "Maggie wears a brimmed cap at all times: Strong light often gives her a headache. She also likes the way it looks." Here, the first word after the colon is capitalised because there are two complete sentences providing additional information.
Trademarked Names
It is important to note that trademarked names should always be capitalised, even if they come after a colon. For example: "My favourite soft drinks are: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Mountain Dew." Here, the product names are capitalised despite coming after a colon because they are trademarked and considered proper nouns.
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'Cologne' is used for men's perfume in American English
In American English, the term "cologne" is often used as a generic term for perfumes marketed toward men. This differentiation arose in the 1960s and 1970s when advertisers began referring to all men's perfumes as colognes to avoid feminine connotations associated with the word "perfume." By using "cologne," American men could feel more comfortable purchasing and using perfume without feeling feminine.
While "cologne" is commonly used in American English to refer to men's perfume, it is important to note that the term has a broader definition as well. In its generic sense, "cologne" can refer to scented formulations with a typical concentration of 2-5% essential oils, alcohol, and water. This definition applies to perfumes for both men and women.
The differentiation between cologne and perfume is not solely based on gender marketing. There are also differences in the composition and concentration of the fragrances. Cologne has a lower alcohol content, a lighter scent, and a lower concentration of perfume oils, typically ranging from 2-5%. This lower concentration results in a less powerful and shorter-lasting fragrance compared to perfume.
On the other hand, perfume has a much higher alcohol content and a higher concentration of perfume oils, typically ranging from 15-40%. This higher concentration makes perfume stronger and longer-lasting, allowing it to be smelled from across the room or throughout the day.
It is worth mentioning that the usage of the term "cologne" for men's perfume is not universal. In British English, for example, the term "aftershave" is commonly used for men's fragrances, regardless of whether the man shaves or not. Similarly, in Canada, "aftershave" refers specifically to a post-shaving product designed to close the pores with its high alcohol content.
In conclusion, while "cologne" is commonly used in American English to refer to men's perfume, it is important to understand the historical context, compositional differences, and varying terminology across different regions and dialects.
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'Aftershave' is used for men's fragrances in British English
In British English, the term "aftershave" is commonly used to refer to men's fragrances. This usage arose from the historical association of perfume with women and homosexual men in the UK, which led advertisers to market fragrances to men by associating them with shaving. While the terms "cologne" and "aftershave" are often used interchangeably, they refer to distinct products with different characteristics.
Cologne, also known as "eau de cologne" or simply "fragrance," is typically more expensive and has a lower alcohol content than aftershave. It is designed to be used sparingly and is considered pure fragrance, applied in small amounts to create a subtle scent. In contrast, aftershave is relatively inexpensive and has a higher alcohol content, which can cause a stinging sensation when applied to the skin, especially after shaving.
The distinction between cologne and aftershave is more pronounced in American English, where "cologne" is commonly used to refer to men's fragrances. However, even in American culture, some men may use the term "cologne" interchangeably with "aftershave" or refer to their fragrances as perfume.
The terminology around men's fragrances varies across different regions and dialects. While "aftershave" is commonly used in British English, some British individuals may still refer to their fragrances as cologne, "eau de cologne", or "eau de parfum." Additionally, in Canada, aftershave has a more specific definition, referring to a product used after shaving to close the pores with its high alcohol content.
The choice of terminology is influenced by cultural and historical factors, marketing strategies, and personal preferences. While "aftershave" is widely used in British English for men's fragrances, the use of other terms such as "cologne" or "fragrance" is also prevalent, reflecting the diverse nature of language and cultural influences in fragrance terminology.
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Frequently asked questions
The word 'perfume' is a common noun and is not typically capitalized. However, if it is used as part of a specific name, it can be capitalized. For example, 'John Doe, Director of Perfume Manufacturing'.
Similar to 'perfume', 'cologne' is also a common noun and is not typically capitalized. However, if referring to the city in Germany, it would be capitalized.
Yes, cologne has a lower alcohol content and is less powerful with a lighter scent. It is typically marketed towards men, whereas perfume is typically marketed towards women.
No, it is not wrong, but it is less common. In American culture, cologne is typically used to refer to men's fragrances, whereas in British English, aftershave is used for men's fragrances.
