Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2014 July 14

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July 14

Amazon or amazon

Before the MoS change to lower case all bird names, parrots of the genus Amazona all had the "Amazon" in their name capitalised by default, e.g. White-fronted Amazon. Now that things have changed, we're unsure whether it should be white-fronted amazon or white-fronted Amazon. Is it still a proper noun when used this way? Wondering if the English buffs have some insight! There's a current discussion on this here. Julia\^talk 05:09, 14 July 2014 (UTC)

At this time, it is not listed at List of words derived from toponyms.

—Wavelength (talk) 15:06, 14 July 2014 (UTC)

You can use http://www.onelook.com/?w=amazon&ls=a to check various dictionaries.

—Wavelength (talk) 15:08, 14 July 2014 (UTC)

AviBase uses "White-fronted Parrot" at http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?lang=EN&avibaseid=DD669F07D14ADD6F. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums uses ""white-fronted amazon" at http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/visit-the-zoo/parrots/amazona-albifrons. (The) Parrot Forum uses "white-fronted amazon" in text at http://theparrotforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6983.

—Wavelength (talk) 15:42, 14 July 2014 (UTC)

A person reading the capitalized version might wonder (momentarily) whether it had something in common with the White Nile. When I consider all the information that I have found on this matter (including the closing statements at WP:BIRDCON), I am inclined to prefer the uncapitalized version.

—Wavelength (talk) 04:45, 15 July 2014 (UTC)

Thanks, Wavelength. I agree with you. Julia\^talk 19:39, 16 July 2014 (UTC)