Hi

Can anyone tell me - if you use the phrase 'Oh my god!' in a novel, is it a capital G, or a lower case one, for god?

I thought it would be God, as it's a name, but I saw the phrase written with a lower case g last night in a magazine interview!

Help please!

Ali

I would always use one, Ali, on account of Him being omnipotent, creator of the universe etc - it seems the least we can do is give the chap a capital letter!

Seriously, though, the oath originated within the framework of the Christian religion, so you're distinguishing Him from the general noun 'god'. I suppose some people would argue that in our secular society we've moved on, but I wouldn't be one of them.

<Added>

It might be one of those words in transition, like all right/alright. Traditionalists like me would still type 'all right' as two words, but 'alright' is becoming so familiar it's accepted.

Unless the character speaking is from a polytheistic religion, persumably, like Hinduism? Then it would be lower case....



Rosy

Would depend on whether they were using the term as an isolated secular idiom, or whether they were taking the Christian oath wholesale.

Hart's Rules says 'use capitals for all references to the monotheistic deity.' but 'a god' if there's more than one.

Emma

I believe I have always seen that phrase written with a lower case g, and I can think of a good reason why: if you use it you are blaspheming, so your intent is not worship. I'd also say that 99% of people saying don't even think of what they're saying as 'god' -it's purely an expression.

I have never seen it written 'oh my God', and think that would be very weird.

However, I wouldn't worry too much. An editor would sort out the house style.

Deb

"I have never seen it written 'oh my God', and think that would be very weird."

That's odd, Deb. I think I have hardly ever seen it written other than 'oh, my God' - not that I can recall - and I certainly always write it that way.... We must read different things!

Rosy

I think I've seen both, not sure what I'd do, but as deb says, it's really a copy-editor's headache, not ours.

Emma

Well at least it wasn't just me that was confused on that one!

Thanks for your help - I'll choose one way, and then let my copy editor sort it out. (Should I ever be lucky enough to get to the stage of having one )

Cheers,

Ali