Should Cologne Noun Be Capitalized?

Cologne, the fragrant liquid, is a noun. In English, only proper nouns are usually capitalized, such as names of people and places. Cologne, the city in Germany, is a proper noun and is therefore capitalized. However, the noun cologne referring to the perfumed liquid is not a proper noun and thus, according to standard English grammar rules, should not be capitalized.

Cologne: A type of perfume

Cologne, or eau de cologne, is a type of perfume. Specifically, it is a light perfume, or a mildly perfumed toilet water. It is a liquid composed of alcohol and fragrant oils or extracts, and it has a pleasant smell. It is named after the city of Cologne in Western Germany, where it was first made in 1709.

Cologne is typically applied to the skin, particularly the neck and behind the ears. It is used by both men and women and is often worn when one is getting dressed up for a night out. It can also be formed into a cream or paste and made into a semi-solid stick.

Cologne is considered a type of toilet water because it is less concentrated than perfume, allowing for a more liberal application. This also means that it is not as long-lasting as perfume and does not have as strong of a scent. The word "cologne" comes from the French "eau de Cologne", which translates to "water from Cologne (Germany)".

Cologne has been featured in various forms of media, including TV commercials, novels, and newspapers. It is often mentioned in relation to men's grooming and fashion, with specific brands of cologne being advertised or referenced. Overall, cologne is a popular fragrance option for individuals looking for a light and pleasant scent to enhance their personal style.

The origin of cologne

Cologne, or eau de cologne, is a perfume originating from the city of Cologne in Germany. The name is derived from the French "Eau de Cologne", which means "Water from Cologne".

Cologne was first mixed by Italian perfumer Giovanni Maria Farina (or Johann Maria Farina) in 1709. Farina wrote to his brother Jean Baptiste that he had found a fragrance that reminded him of an Italian spring morning, of mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain. He named his creation Eau de Cologne in honour of his new hometown.

The original Eau de Cologne was a spirit-citrus perfume, containing a mixture of citrus oils, including lemon, orange, tangerine, clementine, bergamot, lime, grapefruit, blood orange, bitter orange, and neroli. It could also contain oils of lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano, petitgrain, jasmine, olive, oleaster, and tobacco. It was a lighter blend of 2-5% perfume oils in alcohol and water.

The perfume was delivered to nearly all royal houses in Europe, and its ability to produce a constantly homogeneous fragrance was considered a sensation at the time. A single vial cost half the annual salary of a civil servant.

When free trade was established in Cologne by the French in 1797, countless businessmen began selling their own fragrances under the name of Eau de Cologne. However, the original formula created by Farina has been produced in Cologne since 1709 and remains a secret.

Cologne as a proper noun

Cologne, the city in Germany, is a proper noun. The name of the city is derived from the Latin 'Colonia Agrippina', named after the Roman empress Agrippina, wife of the emperor Claudius. The city was founded in 50 AD.

When the word "Cologne" is used as a proper noun, it is typically referring to this German city. The city of Cologne is located on the Rhine River in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, in western Germany. It is known for its historic significance, having been an important commercial centre since ancient times.

The word "Cologne" is also used as a common noun to refer to a type of perfume. This usage is derived from the city of Cologne, where this particular fragrance was first manufactured in 1709. Cologne, the perfume, is typically a light, mildly scented, or weak perfume made from alcohol and fragrant oils. It is also known as "eau de cologne" or "Cologne water".

When used as a common noun, "cologne" is not capitalised. However, when referring to the city in Germany, "Cologne" is always capitalised as a proper noun.

Capitalization rules in German

The German language has unique capitalization rules that set it apart from other European languages that use the Roman alphabet. Here are the key rules to remember:

Capitalize All Nouns

Unlike in English, where only proper nouns are capitalized, German capitalizes all nouns, regardless of their position or type. This tradition stems from Old High German and Middle High German, where capitalizing nouns emphasized their importance. For example:

• "Mein Freund hat ein neues Auto gekauft." ("My friend bought a new car.")
• "Die Sonne scheint am Himmel." ("The sun is shining in the sky.")
• "Unsere Familie plant einen Ausflug in die Berge." ("Our family is planning a trip to the mountains.")

Capitalize Adjectives and Verbs Used as Nouns

In German, when adjectives or verbs are used as nouns, they are capitalized. This process is called nominalization. Examples include:

• "Das Gute und Schöne" ("The good and beautiful")
• "Die Schönen und Reichen" ("The beautiful and rich")

Don't Capitalize Other Adjectives

Regular adjectives in German are not capitalized, even when nationalities are used as adjectives (unlike in English). For example:

• "der kleine Garten" ("the small garden")
• "deutsche Küche" ("German cuisine")

Capitalize the First Word of Each Sentence

Like in many other languages, the first word of each sentence is capitalized, regardless of its part of speech. For example:

• "Der Himmel ist blau." ("The sky is blue.")
• "Heute ist ein schöner Tag." ("Today is a beautiful day.")

Capitalize Formal Pronouns

German has three formal pronouns that change meaning when capitalized: "Ihnen" (dative case of "you"), "Sie" (formal "you"), and "Ihr" (formal "your"). Capitalizing these pronouns marks politeness and formality and sets them apart from their lowercase informal forms. For example:

• "Können Sie mir bitte helfen?" ("Can you please help me?")
• "Ich habe Ihr Buch gefunden." ("I found your book.")
• "Das Buch gehört Ihnen." ("The book belongs to you.")

Don't Capitalize Informal Pronouns

In contrast, informal pronouns like "du" ("you") and "ihr" (informal plural "you") are not capitalized. For example:

• "Hast du Zeit für einen Kaffee?" ("Do you have time for a coffee?")
• "Könnt ihr mir bei den Hausaufgaben helfen?" ("Can you help me with the homework?")

Don't Capitalize the Personal Pronoun 'Ich'

The personal pronoun "ich" ("I") is not capitalized in German, unless it is the first word of a sentence. For example:

• "Ich bin sehr müde." ("I am tired.")
• "Gestern habe ich im Park ein Buch gelesen." ("Yesterday, I read a book in the park.")

Capitalize Titles and Honorary Forms

• "Ich wusste nicht, dass Frau Müller Ärztin ist." ("I didn't know Ms. Müller was a doctor.")
• "Ich habe mit Herrn Schmidt über das Projekt gesprochen." ("I spoke with Mr. Schmidt about the project.")

Cologne: A city in Germany

Cologne, or Köln in German, is a city in Western Germany. It is situated on the Rhine River in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. With a population of over one million people, it is the fourth-largest city in the country.

Cologne has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. It was founded by the Ubii tribe, who established a settlement at the current location of the city around 38 BC. The Romans later conquered the region and built a major city called Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, which was the provincial capital of the Roman Empire's Germania Inferior region.

Today, Cologne is a bustling metropolis known for its cultural significance and lively atmosphere. It is home to several renowned museums, art galleries, and theatres. The city also boasts a vibrant nightlife, with numerous bars, clubs, and restaurants offering a variety of entertainment options.

One of Cologne's most famous landmarks is its Gothic cathedral, officially known as the Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus, or Cologne Cathedral. This magnificent structure took over 600 years to build and is known for its intricate architecture and stunning stained glass windows. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered a masterpiece of medieval architecture.

In addition to its cultural attractions, Cologne is also an important economic centre. It is home to several large companies and industries, including media, insurance, and automotive sectors. The city's river port, one of the largest inland ports in Europe, plays a crucial role in its economic success.

Cologne is also known for its annual festivals and events, such as the Carnival of Cologne, which takes place in the week before Lent and features parades, street parties, and cultural performances. The city also hosts several significant trade fairs, including Gamescom, the world's largest computer and video game festival.

Frequently asked questions