"English" vs. "english" poll

[dr_dave]

When referring to side spin, do you think it is more appropriate to use "English" (capitalized) or "english" (not capitalized)?

 

[TX Poolnut]

In my dictionaries, it's always English.

 

[dr_dave]

In my dictionaries, it's always English.

... but dictionaries change as usage changes, and I have seen a trend by some to use "english" lately.

Regards,
Dave

PS: In the past, I have always used "English" (e.g., in my book and articles), but I am considering switching over to the dark side ("english"). That's why I want to see what most people think.

 

[ShootingArts]

no cap's

My theory is no capital letter because you are not referring to the country or language. Don't know if that is the correct usage but it is mine. I prefer using "side" instead of "english" however because in these PC times folks take offense at the strangest things and somebody might take offense at calling it english since obviously we all use it.

Hu

 

[Tom In Cincy]

I like side spin versus Side Spin

English versus english...

Capitalize when in doubt

 

[smoooothstroke]

I think we need an english prophesor to answer this.Or is that English prophesor?

 

[softshot]

I think it generally ends up capitalized in print .. because of good old spell check... I know in most of my posts on this forum it will always be capitalized.. because I type my post then go back and fix the redlines .. and spell check likes the capital E.. in my observation..

 

[memikey]

In the part of Scotland where I was brought up it is unheard of to use either English or english. It is always....."The F**ckin English" :smile:

 

[Colin Colenso]

I assumed it should be english. If English, then we should be using capitals for follow, draw, kick etc.

But the spell check does confuse us sometimes. I've probably used the capital E many times.

Colin

 

[JimS]

I assumed it should be english. If English, then we should be using capitals for follow, draw, kick etc.

But the spell check does confuse us sometimes. I've probably used the capital E many times.

Colin

No need for caps on english when referring to side spin. Just as Colin points out.

 

[kaznj]

english is another word for spin. Would you say Spin? english(spin) is a verb. English refers to a group of people (noun) from a particular part of the world.

 

[worldison2]

english is another word for spin. Would you say Spin? english(spin) is a verb. English refers to a group of people (noun) from a particular part of the world.

consider this 1 more vote for this.

 

[dr_dave]

English people use "side." "English" is an alternative (i.e., "english" = "side").

english is another word for spin. Would you say Spin? english(spin) is a verb. English refers to a group of people (noun) from a particular part of the world.

Shouldn't your bold sentence above should start with "English" (capitalized) since it is the first word of the sentence? Also, I think "english" (side spin) can be a verb (e.g., "spin the ball in"), but it is more often a noun (e.g., "put english on the cue ball").

Regards,
Dave

 

[Andrew Manning]

My vote is for uncapitalized to distinguish it from the other meanings ("from or pertaining to England", and the English language). As several have mentioned, languages and nationalities are both capitalized; there's no reason why a ball's spin should be.

Just for fun, I looked it up on dictionary.com. Definition 8 says:

8. Sports. (sometimes lowercase)
a. a spinning motion imparted to a ball, esp. in billiards.

The "sometimes lowercase" means that both are correct, formally speaking.

-Andrew

 

[3andstop]

Shouldn't your bold sentence above should start with "English" (capitalized) since it is the first word of the sentence? Also, I think "english" (side spin) can be a verb (e.g., "spin the ball in"), but it is more often a noun (e.g., "put english on the cue ball").

Regards,
Dave

Well, I agree the word english should NOT be capitolized. It is not a proper noun. As a matter of fact, in your example above "put english on the cue ball" ....... I think the word "english" is an adverb in that sentence that describes the verb "put".

 

[JoeW]

I vote for english as a way of acknowledging the contribution by these people to the art of pocket billiards.

The French call it "pan bread" not French Toast. We call it French Toast to acknowledge their contribution.

Many indian tribes name themselves "the people." we use different names.

We are called "cowboys" by many people in Europe and it too is a compliment thought not intended in that way by some.

Personally I also like "irish" for the body lean that follows a shot.

In Scotland you order whiskey, not scotch.

And so it goes.

I will check with my daughter and my son-in-law. One is an English professor the other a Ph.D. grammarian of sorts.

 

[memikey]

.... in your example above "put english on the cue ball" ....... I think the word "english" is an adverb in that sentence that describes the verb "put".

Free to think anything you like of course...but it isn't and it doesn't :smile:

 

[3andstop]

Free to think anything you like of course...but it isn't and it doesn't :smile:

Its ok ... I'm no English major it just seemed like the word "put" IS a verb and you are describing what you are putting ... the noun is ball, but I dunno

 

[vagabond]

When referring to side spin, do you think it is more appropriate to use "English" (capitalized) or "english" (not capitalized)?

When Americans first saw two visiting dudes from England hitting the cue ball on the side and spinning it then the Americans started refering to the side spin as English.Other than that it is nothing but a useless drill on semantics.:boring2:

 

[dr_dave]

... noun (e.g., "put english on the cue ball").

Well, I agree the word english should NOT be capitalized. It is not a proper noun.

I also agree; although, lately, I think "spin" or "side spin" is much better.

As a matter of fact, in your example above "put english on the cue ball" ....... I think the word "english" is an adverb in that sentence that describes the verb "put".

I don't claim to be a grammar expert (because I went to a crappy elementary school in a bad neighborhood in New Orleans), but I wouldn't think "english" (side spin) is an adverb in that sentence ... but I could be wrong. As another example, if I put butter on toast, is butter an adverb? "Side spin" is like "butter."

Regards,
Dave