[Rhodes22-list] Scotch

[Brad Haslett]

Slim,

Here's the answer from the Chicago Manual of Style.




*Q.* Do you capitalize Scotch when it's used singularly as a noun, or only
in a proper name situation: Let's have a scotch. I drink Scotch whisky and
Irish coffee. Thank you!

*A.* According to *CMOS*, 15th ed., 8.65,

Personal, national, or geographical names, and words derived from such
names, are often lowercased when used with a *nonliteral* meaning. For
example, "an excellent Swiss gruyère" refers to a cheese made in
Switzerland, whereas "swiss cheese" is an American cheese with holes in it.

Among the examples included at 8.65 is "scotch whisky." But in your example,
you are right to capitalize "Scotch" in "Scotch whisky" because you are
opposing "Scotch" to "Irish."
Personally, if the scotch is high enough quality, "you can call me Ray!"

Brad

On 8/13/06, Slim <salm at mn.rr.com> wrote:
>
> Can somebody please settle an argument?  I say Scotch (whiskey) should be
> capitalized because it refers to a country unlike, for example, rum or
> beer.
> Same goes for Scotch tape and Scotch eggs.  I also think it's proper to
> refer to things Scottish as Scotch, as in my heritage is Scotch or I was
> too
> Scotch to buy it.
>
> Can I get a ruling on this, please, as I sip my Dewars?
>
> Slim
>
>
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