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Style questions in general - thread

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by Twirling Time, May 17, 2020.

  1. Twirling Time

    Twirling Time Well-Known Member

    Not necessarily AP style or any other. Just looking for a consensus.

    Got one for you to start off: is it "mach speed" or "Mach speed?"

    (Certainly not "mock speed" which was turned in.)
     
  2. crimsonace

    crimsonace Well-Known Member

    Mach is a proper noun, so it should be capitalized.
     
  3. MileHigh

    MileHigh Moderator Staff Member

    Agreed.

    AP style is all over the map and inconsistent as hell. Use it as a guide.
     
    Liut and wicked like this.
  4. Regan MacNeil

    Regan MacNeil Well-Known Member

    Mach - Capitalize for the speed of sound. Mach is 750 mph at sea level, approximately 660 mph at 30,000 feet. Examples: Mach 1, Mach 2
     
  5. I Should Coco

    I Should Coco Well-Known Member

    JC Penney or J.C. Penney? AP style is the latter, of course, but every picture of their storefront is JC without the periods. I'm tired of arguing about it.

    Almost enough to make me glad they're going bankrupt!
     
    Slacker likes this.
  6. Sports Barf

    Sports Barf Well-Known Member

    Why do you care about whether Mach speed is capitalized or not? The suits don’t care all they want is to fire you and

    oh sorry this is Fredrick’s burner account, carry on
     
    SFIND, Dog8Cats, Liut and 1 other person like this.
  7. Sam Mills 51

    Sam Mills 51 Well-Known Member

    Named for Ersnt Mach, an Austrian physicist. Is capitalized.

    Use the periods. North Carolina State University has been on this kick to use "NC State" and it should still be "N.C. State."
     
  8. ChrisLong

    ChrisLong Well-Known Member

    The old rule was, don't use periods unless it spells a word. NHL, not N.H.L.
    However, it got confusing because NL shouldn't use periods, but A.L. should.
    UCLA, USC, UNLV no periods. U.C.L.A looks and is ridiculous.
    But now there are so many of these: WHO, CDC. Going back and forth also seems ridiculous.
     
  9. adcs2

    adcs2 Member

    How about the abbreviation for microphone?
     
    Liut likes this.
  10. swingline

    swingline Well-Known Member

    I'm a Kraut-Mick, friend, so the abbreviation for a microphone is "talkie thing."
     
  11. Liut

    Liut Well-Known Member

    Or anglophone ... or francophone? Sorry.
     
  12. Danwriter

    Danwriter Member

    With 33 years a journalist after 20 as professional musician and producer (yes, you've heard my songs on the radio), the verbal and written shorthand for microphone is "mic." (Not "mike," though pronounced the same) However, there is some discussion around the verb form. NBC Sports and Fox Sports (not "FOX" Sports, as they demand it be written) go with "mic'd up," while the hip-hop universe prefers "miked up." I've used both, depending on which outlet I'm writing for.
     
    Liut likes this.
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