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symbolicangel · 02-11-2012 13:15:26

Which is correct?

1. Glowing Jack O' Lanterns dotted the street.

2. Glowing jack o' lanterns dotted the street.

Or neither? I'd appreciate some help on this, as I failed to find a definitive answer using Google. Thanks!

JElizabeth · 02-11-2012 13:29:47

I've always seen it written jack o' lanterns.

maxkeanu · 02-11-2012 14:39:37

Jack o'lanterns: From the Irish folk tale of Jack, who tricked the devil, but was not allowed in heaven or in hell. The devil, taking pity of Jack, gave him an ember to light his way on his eternal walks on Earth, carried in a hollowed out turnip. Because of their size and availability, pumpkins were substituted for turnips in the United States. The Celtics did use a hollowed out rutabaga to carry an ember from the sacred Samhain bonfire home to light their home fires, but the significance and relation to the Irish tale of Jack is unknown.

Research from my Thatcher Head novel, which I committed to memory...!NOT.

>>>http://www.halloween-history.org/

Last edited by maxkeanu (02-11-2012 14:41:38)

tina_dc_hayes · 02-11-2012 17:54:02

Dictionary.com says jack-o'-lantern and my wordweb software says jack-o-lantern.

I think I've always gone with jack o'lantern, and honestly, it should be fine with or without the hypens. As for capitalizing, I'd think you don't need to. We can add 'jack-o-lantern' to 'cup of joe' and 'using the john', in that they aren't capital even though they're boy names but not used in those instances for actual people.

symbolicangel · 02-11-2012 21:08:24

Thanks! I guess I'll go with jack o'lanterns.

#1 02-11-2012 13:15:26

Question about capitalizing

#2 02-11-2012 13:29:47

Re: Question about capitalizing

#3 02-11-2012 14:39:37

Re: Question about capitalizing

#4 02-11-2012 17:54:02

Re: Question about capitalizing

#5 02-11-2012 21:08:24

Re: Question about capitalizing

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