Google/google

[Glizdka]

Do I capitalize Google/google when I use it as a verb? When I googled if I should capitalize it, I found conflicting information.

I think it's so commonly used to just effectively mean look up nowadays that I'm leaning towards not capitalizing it. Besides, it would help to distinguish between the verb and the company. However, it derives from a proper noun, Google.

I've decided to consult [STRIKE]the primordial source of all knowledge[/STRIKE] you. Which do you advise?

 

[GoesStation]

I capitalize it as I would any proper noun.

 

[Glizdka]

I capitalize it as I would any proper noun.

But I'm asking about the verb.

 

[jutfrank]

I don't capitalise it. I can't see a compelling reason to do so. Therefore, I wouldn't advise you to.

 

[GoesStation]

But I'm asking about the verb.

The verb means "use the Google search service". That's close enough for me. I'm sure that other verbs formed from proper nouns exist and that many publishers capitalize them. Unfortunately, I can't think of one at the moment.

 

[Glizdka]

The verb means "use the Google search service". That's close enough for me. I'm sure that other verbs formed from proper nouns exist and that many publishers capitalize them. Unfortunately, I can't think of one at the moment.

Now that you've said it, I don't think I've ever seen the verb in any respectable publication.

Is it non-standard, just a new application for the word the world's still lagging behind, or something completely different?

 

[jutfrank]

I think there are a few factors involved here. One is how long the verb has been in use (the longer, the more likely it is not to be capitalised), and another is the particular orthographic form of the word in question. I think verbs like google and xerox look fine on the page whereas verbs like fedex and what'sapp look positively odd.

This is just my personal view, of course.

 

[GoesStation]

Now that you've said it, I don't think I've ever seen the verb in any respectable publication.

The New York Times
Scientific American

 

[GoesStation]

The verb forms are following the usual trend: capitalization becomes less common as the verb gains acceptance.

2000-2015
2016-2019

 

[emsr2d2]

I've yet to use it uncapitalised. I tell people to Google things.

 

[teechar]

The Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries don't

https://www.lexico.com/definition/google
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/google

But I think either way is fine.

 

[Glizdka]

If I capitalize a verb, does it make it a "proper verb"?

I've tried [STRIKE]Googling[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]googling[/STRIKE] looking it up, but I can't find anything about "proper verbs". Is that even a thing?

 

[Rover_KE]

No to both questions.

 

[Tdol]

When something becomes a verb I use lower case.

 

[SoothingDave]

I would not capitalize "google it" when used as a verb.

I am sure the trademark attorneys at Google would answer differently.

 

[Tdol]

They can xerox their writ to my hoover. ;-)

 

[Skrej]

For what it's worth, Webster's states both versions are acceptable.

I gave up capitalizing it quite a while ago, once I realized it was becoming a genericized trademark.



Question: Can you still google something on Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Swisscows? Can you Google something on Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Swisscows?

If I search on Bing, am I binging? Am I cowering on Swisscows? Ducking or going on DDG?

 

[Tdol]

I would google on Bing or Firefox.

 

[emsr2d2]

We use DuckDuckGo at work and have taken to saying "I'm just going to Duck it"!

 

[Rover_KE]

If I heard you say that I'd take it to mean you were going to ignore it.

duck

v2 informal

to avoid, or try to escape from (an unpleasant task, etc.); dodge:

He's trying to duck responsibility for his actions.
She ducked out the back to avoid the reporters.

(Random House)

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