Why Are So Many Thread Titles Capitalised Like This?

[EeveeElectro]

Well everyone has answered the first question, so I'll just say I hate it when people talk like it all the time.

Today I Went To The Shop To Buy A Peach.

ughhh!

I can't put my legs behind my head, but I could used to when I was younger, probably because children are a lot more flexible.

 

[SonicWaffle]

I don't think it matters. People here probably think of thread titles like all other titles. They're meant to grab a person's attention. For me, a lowercase title or one that is written like a sentence makes it seem like the creator just doesn't care that much.

But hey, different people are different.

I find that the overuse of capitals makes the poster look as if they're...well...overusing capitals. I often expect threads which are thusly titled to be rife with spelling errors and the like, and am not often disappointed. I believe you're right - they are used to grab attention by excessive usage, rather than to conform to the common rules.

 

[SonicWaffle]

Because people don't understand proper use of capitalization, sadly.

Apparently (as seen below!) this includes you and I...

Because it's the title and that's how titles are usually formatted, at least in other forms of written media anyway. I do that with the subject line in my e-mails too.

I seem to remember my teachers telling me that a title should have capital letter at the start of words unless is a little word like or or of.

Yeah, they capitalize the titles because that's what titles do. Except I think the rule is that the only words you need to capitalize are the words that answer the Five W's (and one H). Who, What, Where, etc. and the first word, of course.

Titles are supposed to have every word capitalised, except for common short words UNLESS they are at the start of the title.

In a title, every word is capiatlaised EXCEPT, those of little importance (the, of, or etc.).
e.g. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

All words are capitalised except for the little 'joining' ones (to, and, the, of), unless they are part of a Noun.

My point was more that this is somewhat unnecessary on a chat forum. It isn't exactly easy on the eyes, and while I can see the reason for it in newsposts and such I don't think it's really required in a forum thread. It adds an overly formal element to a thread which will likely be discussing mundane issues. This is just a personal peeve, you understand, and in no way me attempting to change the English language.

Though if I could, I would totally change the phrase "sexual intercourse" to "the no-pants dance".

 

[SonicWaffle]

They're rarely ignored in titles, but overall if this is your main beef with the site then I'm jealous

I don't really have any beef with this site! It's just a minor details that irks me by making thread titles very, very slightly harder to read. On the whole, people here are fluffy and nice and I like them. Including you!

Oh, wait. I don't really like the smug guys who one-shot a thread with stuff that boils down to "Your point is stupid, and so are you. Bow before my magnificence". But I don't hate them! They're probably fluffy and nice too, when you get to the very core of their black, dead hearts. They just hide it better.

 

[SonicWaffle]

You will capitalise thread titles, and you will like it!

Yes Boss, Very Sorry About That Boss!

 

[GundamSentinel]

Because people don't understand proper use of capitalization, sadly.

Apparently (as seen below!) this includes you and I...

I don't recall ever learning the proper way to use capitalization in forum threads during English classes. Are there even rules concerning internet spelling? Note to self: research this subject.

Still, even applying the usual capitalization rules concerning titles many people do it wrong.

 

[SonicWaffle]

I don't recall ever learning the proper way to use capitalization in forum threads during English classes. Are there even rules concerning internet spelling? Note to self: research this subject.

Well, I fully agree with you that thread titles do not need the capitalization that a book/movie/game title does (being totally informal) but a majority of posters in this thread seem to disagree. Now, this being the internet, while there are no "proper" rules for capitalization of thread titles, majority rule usually holds sway. I'm not going to start doing it because I rarely start threads, but it looks like the mob has spoken.

Still, even applying the usual capitalization rules concerning titles many people do it wrong.

Well, thats the 'net for you. Spelling, grammar, not being bug-fuck crazy....many people do it wrong

 

[MasTerHacK]

Yes I can put my legs behind my head, I was on a bet, nothing sick about it.

No idea about the capitals thing. Maybe because its a title? Wild guess.

Hmmmmmm... I think it's all the aliens' doings... You know, aliens... Like Yahtzee...

 

[Communist partisan]

I keep seeing this, and it strikes me as odd. Capitals go at the start of a sentence, or can be used for ANGRY ALL CAPS RAAARGH but starting every word with a capital is...strange. I don't know why it bugs me, it just does. That is pretty much all. There's really no discussion value there, so let's have something totally ridiculous;

Can you get your legs behind your head? And if so, how did you discover this and why, you sick pervert? I bet it was something weird.

Also, and totally unrelated to me making this topic, I registered on the forums one year ago today. Happy birthday to me!

A big letter in every sentence is more used than showing you are pissed in a text, so it's not so strange to me.

And I can get my left foot behind my head, well a bit and I dicovered it by thinking it would look cool to be able to put a foot behind my head, something perverted whith that?

 

[SonicWaffle]

HERP THE DERP.

Thank you for your contribution! It has been taken on board.

However, it will be thrown overboard as soon as the ship leaves the harbour.

 

[SonicWaffle]

A big letter in every sentence is more used than showing you are pissed in a text, so it's not so strange to me.

I've seen it used for emphasis in the middle of a post (at which it works rather well), but I though ALLCAPS was the international standard for showing how angry your are about things and also stuff?

And I can get my left foot behind my head, well a bit and I dicovered it by thinking it would look cool to be able to put a foot behind my head, something perverted whith that?

I could make something perverted out of that, if that's what you're into...

 

[SonicWaffle]

That's a damn good attitude for a damn good name.

Thank you! I took it from a box...

My main disdain is for misanthropes, they make me hate everyone.
I also dislike the way I feel compelled to point out my jokes ^^^

Oh, I see what you did there!

While the misanthropes do get very annoying, I love them too! I am so full of love! I am friendly.

I am also explaining my own joke, because "full of love" can be seen to mean that I have been filled wth sticky man juices. Which I have not. So far today, anyway.

 

[El Poncho]

That's how you write a title...

 

[Mcface]

These are thread titles, though, as opposed to articles or books or whatnot. It strikes me as strange to formalize them when we're just going to talk about boobs or cyborgs or cyborgs with boobs. Especially considering how often the rules of grammar are ignored the rest of the time

Jesus Christ, could you put up a weaker argument?

"Durr hurr, capitalization in titles is only used when it's a book. Or an article. But only when they don't talk about boobs. Or cyborgs. Or cyborgs with boobs HERP THE DERP."

No.

Just...no.

It's a title, thus, it's correct to capitalize it. Of course, this is an internet forum, do whatever the fuck you want, but don't call others out on something that is technically correct.

And yeah, I can put my legs behind my back. And no, it was not while I tried to do...that. It was in the company of other people, though I can't remember why. It was probably just a thought I had, and tried to do.

I think you are taking this thread waaay to seriously..

 

[Nazz3]

Title Isnt Even Bad. I Have Seen Many People Who Make Full Sized Posts Like This. Its Super Annoying To Read.

 

[zHellas]

I keep seeing this, and it strikes me as odd. Capitals go at the start of a sentence, or can be used for ANGRY ALL CAPS RAAARGH but starting every word with a capital is...strange. I don't know why it bugs me, it just does.

Also, and totally unrelated to me making this topic, I registered on the forums one year ago today. Happy birthday to me!

I do it because THAT'S HOW TITLES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE, and sometimes on the interwebs I randomly capitalize the beginnings of nouns.

And Happy Somesort of Birthday to You!

 

[smeghead25]

This Post Is Your Answer

It's becuase they're thread titles. Plus it looks better and more professional than a title like this:

This post is your answer

If it's not capitalised I generally steer clear unless I'm reeeeeally interested in the topic because otherwise I know the opening post will be awfully constructed and the spelling will be so irritating that Hitlol of the Spelling & Grammar Nazi's will fight his way out and into the forums to eliminate the Jews-y spelling and grammar errors.

 

[Fraught]

These are thread titles, though, as opposed to articles or books or whatnot. It strikes me as strange to formalize them when we're just going to talk about boobs or cyborgs or cyborgs with boobs. Especially considering how often the rules of grammar are ignored the rest of the time

Jesus Christ, could you put up a weaker argument?

"Durr hurr, capitalization in titles is only used when it's a book. Or an article. But only when they don't talk about boobs. Or cyborgs. Or cyborgs with boobs HERP THE DERP."

No.

Just...no.

It's a title, thus, it's correct to capitalize it. Of course, this is an internet forum, do whatever the fuck you want, but don't call others out on something that is technically correct.

And yeah, I can put my legs behind my back. And no, it was not while I tried to do...that. It was in the company of other people, though I can't remember why. It was probably just a thought I had, and tried to do.

I think you are taking this thread waaay to seriously..

Jesus fucking Christ. Shut up. Just shut up. Close your mouth, and don't ever say anything again. Or, rather, your fingers.

I wasn't taking this thread seriously; it's a forum. He asked a question, and I answered the question, only trying bit uniquer wording than just "Because it's a title".

But you know what just made things serious? That fucking "you're taking this way too seriously". No. Just...no. No, no, no.

No.