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Vgv8 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Captcha or CAPTCHA?

I am writing a technical text and would like to write the word http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAPTCHA in small letters

I am given references that many respected texts on internet write CAPTCHA
(in cpaital letters). Though there are many texts that write "captcha", I am told that it is incorrect English used in chats, forums, etc.

Could you give ne references supporting my point of view that words should not be capitalized without big necessity (and just because others do it)?
  

Top answer

Hi, Did you try dictionaries? w=Captcha+&ls=a Apparently , it's an acronym standing for " Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart " and I guess that's why most dictionaries in that list spell it all in capital letters. It makes sense to me, as acronyms like are NATO, NASA, UNESCO etc.

— Tanit

  • Hi, Did you try dictionaries?
  • w=Captcha+&ls=a Apparently , it's an acronym standing for " Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart " and I guess that's why most dictionaries in that list spell it all in capital letters.
  • It makes sense to me, as acronyms like are NATO, NASA, UNESCO etc.
  • always written in capitals.
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2 Answers
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Hi,

Did you try dictionaries?

Here's a list of dictionaries containing the entry "CAPTCHA":
http://www.onelook.com/?w=Captcha+&ls=a

Apparently, it's an ac
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Thanks!
It is contrived abbreviation overpassed by its practical usage.
Other examples are:
/English/AddPost.aspx/ - RAdio Detection And Ranging
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonar - SOund
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