How/when to capitalize Common Compound Nouns

[alkaspeltzar]

To whoever can help me, I know there are compound nouns like "toilet paper, ice cream, post office etc." These compound nouns are written as two words, and are considered a common noun.

When they are used at the beginning of a sentence, how should they be capitalized? Is it:

Ice cream is the best snack.

or

Ice Cream is the best snack.

The first way seems more common.....something about capitalizing everything, makes me think "ice cream' is a a proper noun, which is not in this case.

Thanks for the help.

 

[mykwyner]

Your instincts are correct. Only the first word would be capitalized at the beginning of a sentence.

Ice cream is the best snack.

Hot dogs are too fattening.