quiz 6

cease-fire, cease-fires

(n. and adj.) The verb form is cease fire

council, councilor, councilman,

A council is a body of people or organizations, often appointed or elected. Capitalize councilor, councilman and councilwoman when used as a formal title before a name; otherwise, lowercase. Counsel (n. or v.) refers to guidance, sometimes legal in nature and given by a lawyer, or a person or people who provide such guidance. He sought counsel from former bosses as he considered the job offer. Her counsel advised her not to answer questions. The attorney counseled her client. Counselor is often synonymous with lawyer, shortened from counselor at law. The lawyer greeted his fellow counselors before the trial began. It also is a person who gives advice, such as a school guidance counselor or an investment counselor. A special counsel is an official, often appointed, who fulfills a temporary legal duty. The Justice Department appointed a special counsel to lead the federal investigation. Lowercase counsel and special counsel whether before or after a name.

Secret Service

A federal agency administered by the Department of Homeland Security. The Secret Service Uniformed Division, which protects the president's residence and offices and the embassies in Washington, formerly was known as the Executive Protective Service.

government, junta, regime

A government is an established system of political administration: the U.S. government. A junta is a group or council that often rules after a coup: A military junta controls the nation. A junta becomes a government after it establishes a system of political administration. A regime is a form of political system, generally an oppressive or undemocratic one: an authoritarian regime, a communist regime. The word regime should be used only in general terms. Do not use in references to a specific country or leader: the North Korean regime, Assad's regime. An administration consists of officials who make up the executive branch of a government: the Reagan administration.

laws

A law is a bill that has been approved by a lawmaking body, usually at the state or federal level, and that sometimes requires the signature of an executive such as a governor or president. Laws are usually enacted and don't necessarily take effect at the time they are enacted.

aide-de-camp

A military officer who serves as assistant and confidential secretary to a superior

party affiliation

A political figure's party affiliation is often relevant, but not always. Include party affiliation if a politician's actions could reasonably be seen as having an effect on policy or debate, or if readers need it for understanding. But reference to party affiliation is not necessary when a story has no link to politics. If in doubt, err on the side of including party affiliation. - Party affiliation can be used on first reference when it is the most important element to connect with the subject: Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina said ... - On second reference to add context between the party affiliation and the rest of the story: Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, the senior Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, said he supports the amendment. - Leave out when the story is clearly not political: The governor attended the NCAA Tournament basketball game, having graduated from Villanova in 1995. The senator attended her daughter's high school graduation. - But use when a political connection exists: The Democratic governor sat courtside next to the top donor to his campaign. The Republican senator spoke at her daughter's graduation two weeks after voting on the education bill. In stories about party meetings, such as a report on the Republican National Convention, no specific reference to party affiliation is necessary unless an individual is not a member of the party in question. SHORT-FORM PUNCTUATION: Set short forms such as R-S.C. off from a name by commas: Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said ... Use the abbreviations listed in the entries for each state. (No abbreviations for Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah.) FORM FOR U.S. HOUSE MEMBERS: The normal practice for U.S. House members is to identify them by party and state. In contexts where state affiliation is clear and home city is relevant, such as a state election roundup, identify representatives by party and city: U.S. Reps. Ander Crenshaw, R-Jacksonville, and Frederica Wilson, D-Miami. If this option is used, be consistent throughout the story. FORM FOR STATE LEGISLATORS: Short-form listings showing party and home city are appropriate in state stories. For national stories, the normal practice is to say that the individual is a Republican or Democrat. Use a short-form listing only if the legislator's home city is relevant

Fatah

A secular Palestinian party and former guerrilla movement founded by Yasser Arafat. Do not use with the prefix al-.

IED

Abbreviation for improvised explosive device. IED is acceptable on second reference. Roadside bomb is preferable

ABM

Acceptable in all references for anti-ballistic missile(s), but the term should be defined in the story. (The hyphen is an exception to Webster's New World College Dictionary.) Avoid the redundant phrase ABM missiles

battlefield

Also: battlefront, battleground, battleship. But battle station.

Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS)

Also: the Joint Chiefs. But lowercase the chiefs or the chiefs of staff.

government

Always lowercase, never abbreviate: the federal government, the state government, the U.S. government

presidency

Always lowercase.

district

Always spell it out. Use a figure and capitalize district when forming a proper name: the 2nd District.

adopt, approve, enact, pass

Amendments, ordinances, resolutions and rules are adopted or approved. Bills are passed. Laws are enacted.

amendments

An amendment is a change or proposed change to a bill or law. Amendments are usually passed or enacted.

Electoral College

But electoral vote(s). The process by which the United States selects its president. The "college" consists of 538 electors from the states. Each state gets as many electoral votes as it has members of Congress, and the District of Columbia gets three. To be elected president, the winner must get at least half the total plus one - or 270 electoral votes. Most states give all their electoral votes to whichever candidate wins that state's popular vote. The electoral system has delivered a split verdict five times, most recently in 2016, with one candidate winning the popular vote and another the presidency

military academies

Capitalize U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy. Retain capitalization if the U.S. is dropped: the Air Force Academy, etc. Lowercase academy whenever it stands alone. Cadet is the proper title on first reference for men and women enrolled at the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine academies. Midshipman is the proper title for men and women enrolled at the Naval Academy. Use the appropriate title on first reference. On second reference, use only the last name.

Congress

Capitalize U.S. Congress and Congress when referring to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Although Congress sometimes is used as a substitute for the House, it properly is reserved for reference to both the Senate and House. Capitalize Congress also if referring to a foreign body that uses the term, or its equivalent in a foreign language, as part of its formal name: the Argentine Congress, the Congress. Lowercase when used as a synonym for convention or in second reference to an organization that uses the word as part of its formal name: the Congress of Racial Equality, the congress.

Supreme Court of the United States

Capitalize U.S. Supreme Court and also the Supreme Court when the context makes the U.S. designation unnecessary. The chief justice is properly the chief justice of the United States, not of the Supreme Court: Chief Justice John Roberts. The proper title for the eight other members of the court is associate justice. When used as a formal title before a name, it should be shortened to justice unless there are special circumstances: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

military titles

Capitalize a military rank when used as a formal title before an individual's name. See the lists that follow to determine whether the title should be spelled out or abbreviated in regular text. On first reference, use the appropriate title before the full name of a member of the military. In subsequent references, do not continue using the title before a name. Use only the last name. Spell out and lowercase a title when it is substituted for a name: Gen. John Jones is the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan. The general endorsed the idea. In some cases, it may be necessary to explain the significance of a title: Army Sgt. Maj. John Jones described the attack. Jones, who holds the Army's highest rank for enlistees, said it was unprovoked. In addition to the ranks listed on the next page, each service has ratings such as machinist, radarman, torpedoman, etc., that are job descriptions. Do not use any of these designations as a title on first reference. If one is used before a name in a subsequent reference, do not capitalize or abbreviate it. ABBREVIATIONS: The abbreviations, with the highest ranks listed first: MILITARY TITLES Rank Usage before a name ARMY Commissioned Officers general Gen.lieutenant general Lt. Gen. major general Maj. Gen.brigadier general Brig. Gen.colonel Col. lieutenant colonel Lt. Col.major Maj. captain Capt.first lieutenant 1st Lt. second lieutenant 2nd Lt. Warrant Officers chief warrant officer five (CW5)Chief Warrant Officer 5chief warrant officer four (CW4) Chief Warrant Officer 4chief warrant officer three (CW3) Chief Warrant Officer 3chief warrant officer two (CW2)Chief Warrant Officer 2warrant officer (W01)Warrant Officer Enlisted Personnel sergeant major of the Army Sgt. Maj. of the Army command sergeant major Command Sgt. Maj.sergeant major Sgt. Maj.first sergeant1st Sgt.master sergeant Master Sgt. sergeant first class Sgt. 1st Class staff sergeant Staff Sgt.sergeant Sgt. corporal Cpl.specialist Spc.private first class Pfc.private Pvt.NAVY, COAST GUARD Commissioned Officers admiral Adm.vice admiral Vice Adm.rear admiral upper half Rear Adm.rear admiral lower half Rear Adm.captain Capt. commander Cmdr. lieutenant commander Lt. Cmdr. lieutenant Lt.lieutenant junior grade Lt. j.g.ensign Ensign Warrant Officers chief warrant officer Chief Warrant Officer Enlisted Personnel master chief petty officer of the Navy Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy master chief petty officer Master Chief Petty Officer senior chief petty officer Senior Chief Petty Officer chief petty officer Chief Petty Officer petty officer first class Petty Officer 1st Class petty officer second class Petty Officer 2nd Class petty officer third class Petty Officer 3rd Class seaman Seaman seaman apprentice Seaman Apprentice seaman recruit Seaman Recruit MARINE CORPS Ranks and abbreviations for commissioned officers are the same as those in the Army. Warrant officer ratings follow the same system used in the Navy. There are no specialist ratings. Others sergeant major of the Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps sergeant major Sgt. Maj.master gunnery sergeant Master Gunnery Sgt. first sergeant1st Sgt.master sergeant Master Sgt.gunnery sergeant Gunnery Sgt.staff sergeant Staff Sgt.sergeant Sgt.corporal Cpl.lance corporal Lance Cpl.private first class Pfc. private Pvt. AIR FORCE Ranks and abbreviations for commissioned officers are the same as those in the Army. Enlisted Designations chief master sergeant of the Air Force Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force chief master sergeant Chief Master Sgt. senior master sergeant Senior Master Sgt.master sergeant Master Sgt.technical sergeant Tech. Sgt.staff sergeant Staff Sgt.senior airman Senior Airman airman first class Airman 1st Class airman Airman airman basic Airman PLURALS: Add s to the principal element in the title: Majs. John Jones and Robert Smith; Maj. Gens. John Jones and Robert Smith; Spcs. John Jones and Robert Smith. RETIRED OFFICERS: A military rank may be used in first reference before the name of an officer who has retired if it is relevant to a story. Do not, however, use the military abbreviation Ret. Instead, use retired just as former would be used before the title of a civilian: They invited retired Army Gen. John Smith. FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS: Use the abbreviations listed here when a military-style title is used before the name of a firefighter or police officer outside a direct quotation. Add police or fire before the title if needed for clarity: police Sgt. William Smith, fire Capt. David Jones. Spell out titles such as detective that are not used in the armed forces.

statehouse

Capitalize all references to a specific statehouse, with or without the name of the state: The Vermont Statehouse is in Montpelier. The governor will visit the Statehouse today.

Social Security

Capitalize all references to the U.S. system. The number groups are hyphenated: 123-45-6789 Lowercase generic uses such as: Is there a social security program in Sweden?

State of the Union

Capitalize all references to the president's annual address. Lowercase other uses: "The state of the union is confused," she said.

senate

Capitalize all specific references to governmental legislative bodies, regardless of whether the name of the state or nation is used: the U.S. Senate, the Senate, the Virginia Senate, the state Senate, the Senate. Lowercase plural uses: the Virginia and North Carolina senates.

American Legion

Capitalize also the Legion in second reference. Members are Legionnaires, just as members of the Lions Club are Lions. Legion and Legionnaires are capitalized because they are not being used in their common noun sense. A legion (lowercase) is a large group of soldiers or, by derivation, a large number of items: His friends are legion. A legionnaire (lowercase) is a member of such a legion

governor

Capitalize and abbreviate as Gov. or Govs. when used as a formal title before one or more names. See the next entry and titles

lieutenant governor

Capitalize and abbreviate as Lt. Gov. or Lt. Govs. when used as a formal title before one or more names both inside and outside quotations. Lowercase and spell out in all other uses

speaker

Capitalize as a formal title before a name. Generally, it is a formal title only for the speaker of a legislative body: Speaker John Boehner.

political parties and philosophies

Capitalize both the name of the party and the word party if it is customarily used as part of the organization's proper name: the Democratic Party, the Republican Party. Include the political affiliation of any elected officeholder. Capitalize Communist, Conservative, Democrat, Liberal, Republican, Socialist, etc., when they refer to a specific party or its members. Lowercase these words when they refer to political philosophy (see examples below). Lowercase the name of a philosophy in noun and adjective forms unless it is the derivative of a proper name: communism, communist; fascism, fascist. But: Marxism, Marxist; Nazism, Nazi. EXAMPLES: John Adams was a Federalist, but a man who subscribed to his philosophy today would be described as a federalist. The liberal Republican senator and his Conservative Party colleague said they believe that democracy and communism are incompatible. The Communist Party member said he is basically a socialist who has reservations about Marxism. Generally, a description of specific political views is more informative than a generic label like liberal or conservative.

councilwoman

Capitalize councilor, councilman and councilwoman when used as a formal title before a name; otherwise, lowercase.

company (military)

Capitalize only when part of a name: Company B. Do not abbreviate

vice president

Capitalize or lowercase following the same rules that apply to president.

President

Capitalize president only as a formal title before one or more names: President Joe Biden, former Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama. Lowercase in all other uses: The president said Monday he will look into the matter. He is running for president. Lincoln was president during the Civil War. See titles. FULL NAMES: Use the first and family name on first reference to a current or former U.S. president or the president-elect: former President Barack Obama, President Joe Biden, President-elect Joe Biden. On subsequent references, use only the last name. For presidents of other nations and of organizations and institutions, capitalize president as a formal title before a full name: President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Amanda Nabih of Acme Corp. On second reference, use only the last name.

Cabinet titles

Capitalize references to a specific body of advisers heading executive departments for a president, king, governor, etc.: The president-elect said he has not made his Cabinet selections. See department for a listing of all the U.S. Cabinet departments.

awards, decorations

Capitalize them: Bronze Star, Medal of Honor, etc.

county

Capitalize when an integral part of a proper name: Dade County, Nassau County, Suffolk County. Capitalize the full names of county governmental units: the Dade County Commission, the Orange County Department of Social Services, the Suffolk County Legislature. Retain capitalization for the name of a county body if the proper noun is not needed in the context; lowercase the word county if it is used to distinguish an agency from state or federal counterparts: the Board of Supervisors, the county Board of Supervisors; the Department of Social Services, the county Department of Social Services. Lowercase the board, the department, etc. whenever they stand alone. Capitalize county if it is an integral part of a specific body's name even without the proper noun: the County Commission, the County Legislature. Lowercase the commission, the legislature, etc. when not preceded by the word county. Capitalize as part of a formal title before a name: County Manager John Smith. Lowercase when it is not part of the formal title: county Health Commissioner Frank Jones. Avoid county of phrases where possible, but when necessary, always lowercase: the county of Westchester. Lowercase plural combinations: Westchester and Rockland counties. Apply the same rules to similar terms such as parish.

city council

Capitalize when part of a proper name: the Boston City Council. Retain capitalization if the reference is to a specific council but the context does not require the city name: BOSTON (AP) - The City Council ... Lowercase in other uses: the council, the Boston and New York city councils, a city council. Use the proper name if the body is not known as a city council: the Miami City Commission, the City Commission, the commission; the Louisville Board of Aldermen, the Board of Aldermen, the board. Use city council in a generic sense for plural references: the Boston, Louisville and Miami city councils.

legislature

Capitalize when preceded by the name of a state: the Kansas Legislature. Retain capitalization when the state name is dropped but the reference is specifically to that state's legislature: TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Both houses of the Legislature adjourned today. Capitalize legislature in subsequent specific references and in such constructions as: the 100th Legislature, the state Legislature. If a given context or local practice calls for the use of a formal name such as Missouri General Assembly, retain the capital letters if the name of the state can be dropped, but lowercase the word assembly if it stands alone. Lowercase legislature if a story uses it in a subsequent reference to a body identified as a general assembly. Lowercase legislature when used generically: No legislature has approved the amendment. Use legislature in lowercase for all plural references: The Arkansas and Colorado legislatures are considering the amendment. In 49 states the separate bodies are a senate and a house or assembly. The Nebraska Legislature is a unicameral body. All members are senators

air force

Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Air Force, the Air Force, Air Force regulations. Do not use the abbreviation USAF. Use lowercase for the forces of other nations: the Israeli air force. This approach has been adopted for consistency, because many foreign nations do not use air force as the proper name.

Army

Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Army, the Army, Army regulations. Do not use the abbreviation USA. Use lowercase for the forces of other nations: the French army. This approach has been adopted for consistency, because many foreign nations do not use army as the proper name.

Marines

Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Marines, the Marines, the Marine Corps, Marine regulations. Do not use the abbreviation USMC. Capitalize Marine when referring to an individual in a Marine Corps unit: He is a Marine. Do not describe Marines as soldiers, which is generally associated with the Army. Use troops if a generic term is needed.

navy

Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Navy, the Navy, Navy policy. Do not use the abbreviation USN. Lowercase when referring to the naval forces of other nations: the British navy. This approach has been adopted for consistency, because many foreign nations do not use navy as the proper name.

national guard

Capitalize when referring to U.S. or state-level forces, or foreign forces when that is the formal name: the National Guard, the Guard, the Iowa National Guard, Iowa's National Guard, National Guard troops, the Iraqi National Guard. On second reference, the guard. When referring to an individual in a National Guard unit, use National Guard member or guard member.

house of representatives

Capitalize when referring to a specific governmental body: the U.S. House of Representatives, the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Capitalize shortened references that delete the words of Representatives: the U.S. House, the Massachusetts House. Retain capitalization if U.S. or the name of a state is dropped but the reference is to a specific body. BOSTON (AP) The House has adjourned for the year. Lowercase plural uses: the Massachusetts and Rhode Island houses. Apply the same principle to similar legislative bodies such as the Virginia House of Delegates. See organizations and institutions for guidelines on how to handle the term when it is used by a nongovernmental body

coast guard

Capitalize when referring to this branch of the U.S. armed forces, a part of the Department of Homeland Security: the U.S. Coast Guard, the Coast Guard, Coast Guard policy. Do not use the abbreviation USCG, except in quotes. Use lowercase for similar forces of other nations. This approach has been adopted for consistency, because many foreign nations do not use coast guard as the proper name.

whip

Capitalize when used as a formal title before a name.

majority leader

Capitalize when used as a formal title before a name: Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Lowercase elsewhere.

battalion

Capitalize when used with a figure to form a name: the 3rd Battalion, the 10th Battalion.

corps

Capitalize when used with a word or a figure to form a proper name: the Marine Corps, the Signal Corps, the 9th Corps, the Army Corps of Engineers. Capitalize when standing alone only if it is a shortened reference to U.S. Marine Corps or Army Corps of Engineers. The possessive form is corps' for both singular and plural: one corps' location, two corps' assignments.

city hall

Capitalize with the name of a city, or without the name of a city if the reference is specific: Boston City Hall, City Hall. Lowercase plural uses: the Boston and New York city halls. Lowercase generic uses, including: You can't fight city hall.

primary

Do not capitalize: the New Hampshire primary, the Democratic primary, the primary.

Equal Rights Amendment

ERA is acceptable on second reference. Ratification required approval by three-fourths (38) of the 50 states by June 30, 1982. Ratification failed when only 35 states had approved the amendment by the deadline. The original deadline was March 22, 1979, but was extended by Congress. The text: Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.

equal time, fairness doctrine

Equal time applies to the Federal Communications Commission regulation that requires a radio or television station to provide a candidate for political office with air time equal to any time that an opponent receives beyond the coverage of news events.

legislative titles

FIRST-REFERENCE FORM: Use Rep., Reps., Sen. and Sens. as formal titles before one or more names. Spell out and lowercase representative and senator in other uses. Spell out other legislative titles in all uses. Capitalize formal titles such as chair, city councilor, delegate, etc., when they are used before a name. Lowercase in other uses. Add U.S. or state before a title only if necessary to avoid confusion: Former state Attorney General Dan Sullivan, a Republican, defeated U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, a Democrat from Alaska, during the 2014 general election. In stories with international datelines, include U.S. before legislative titles. FIRST-REFERENCE PRACTICE: The use of a title such as Rep. or Sen. in first reference is normal in most stories. It is not mandatory, however, provided an individual's title is given later in the story. Deletion of the title on first reference is frequently appropriate, for example, when an individual has become well known: Barack Obama declared Americans were ready to "cast aside cynicism" as he looked for a convincing win in the Democratic contest. The Illinois senator was leading in the polls. SECOND REFERENCE: Do not use legislative titles before a name on second reference unless they are part of a direct quotation. CONGRESSMAN, CONGRESSWOMAN: Rep. and U.S. Rep. are the preferred first-reference forms when a formal title is used before the name of a U.S. House member. In stand-alone references, the terms U.S. House representative, representative, member of Congress are preferred. Congressman and congresswoman are acceptable. Do not use congressperson. Congressman and congresswoman should appear as capitalized formal titles before a name only in direct quotation. ORGANIZATIONAL TITLES: Capitalize titles for formal, organizational offices within a legislative body when they are used before a name: House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, President Pro Tem Orrin Hatch, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley.

governmental bodies

Follow these guidelines: FULL NAME: Capitalize the full proper names of governmental agencies, departments and offices: The U.S. Department of State, the Georgia Department of Human Resources, the Boston City Council, the Chicago Fire Department. WITHOUT JURISDICTION: Retain capitalization in referring to a specific body if the dateline or context makes the name of the nation, state, county, city, etc. unnecessary: The Department of State (in a story from Washington), the Department of Human Resources or the state Department of Human Resources (in a story from Georgia), the City Council (in a story from Boston), the Fire Department or the city Fire Department (in a story from Chicago). Lowercase further condensations of the name: the department, the council, etc. For additional guidance see assembly; city council; committee; Congress; legislature; House of Representatives; Senate; Supreme Court of the United States; and supreme courts of the states. FLIP-FLOPPED NAMES: Retain capital names for the name of a governmental body if its formal name is flopped to delete the word of: the State Department, the Human Resources Department. GENERIC EQUIVALENTS: If a generic term has become the equivalent of a proper name in popular use, treat it as a proper name: Walpole State Prison, for example, even though the proper name is the Massachusetts Correctional Institute-Walpole. For additional examples, see legislature; police department; and prison, jail. PLURALS, NONSPECIFIC REFERENCES: All words that are capitalized when part of a proper name should be lowercased when they are used in the plural or do not refer to a specific, existing body. Some examples: All states except Nebraska have a state senate. The town does not have a fire department. The bill requires city councils to provide matching funds. The president will address the lower houses of the New York and New Jersey legislatures. NON-U.S. BODIES: The same principles apply. Capitalize the names of the specific governmental agencies and departments, either with the name of the nation or without it if clear in the context: French Foreign Ministry, the Foreign Ministry. Lowercase the ministry or a similar term when standing alone.

USS

For United States Ship, Steamer or Steamship, preceding the name of a vessel: the USS Iowa. In datelines: ABOARD USS IOWA (AP) -

democrat

For the U.S. political party, capitalize Democrat and Democratic in references to the Democratic Party or its members. Lowercase in generic uses: He champions the values of a democratic society. Use Democratic, not Democrat, in usages such as the Democratic-controlled Legislature and the Democratic senator (except in direct quotations that use Democrat). See the political parties and philosophies entry.

Veterans Affairs

Formerly Veterans Administration, it became Cabinet level in March 1989 with the full title Department of Veterans Affairs. VA (no periods) is still used on second reference.

Republican, Republican Party

GOP may be used on second reference.See political parties and philosophies and GOP.

general assembly

General Assembly may be used on the first reference in a story under a United Nations dateline. Use U.N. General Assembly in other first references, the General Assembly or the assembly in subsequent references

Grand Old Party

Grand Old Party. GOP is acceptable on second reference for Republican Party.

weapons

Gun is an acceptable term for any firearm. Note the following definitions and forms in dealing with weapons and ammunition: semi-automatic rifle, assault rifle, assault weapon The preferred term for a rifle that fires one bullet each time the trigger is pulled, and automatically reloads for a subsequent shot, is a semi-automatic rifle. An automatic rifle continuously fires rounds if the trigger is depressed and until its ammunition is exhausted. These terms do not convey any details about a rifle's appearance, which is not integral to its function. Avoid assault rifle and assault weapon, which are highly politicized terms that generally refer to AR- or AK-style rifles designed for the civilian market, but convey little meaning about the actual functions of the weapon. Avoid the terms preferred by advocates and gun manufacturers, such as military-style rifles or modern sporting rifles. When reporting on guns, do not automatically repeat terms used by authorities, witnesses or others. Witnesses will often misinterpret the sound of a rapidly fired gun or base a description on the look of the weapon. Instead, seek specific and detailed information from authorities, such as a gun's make, model, caliber and magazine capacity. For example, Authorities said the shooter used a Smith & Wesson M&P15 rifle or Authorities said the man used an AR-style semi-automatic rifle with a 30-round magazine. Where possible, state what the gun does: Authorities say he used a MAC-10 machine pistol, which fires a bullet and quickly reloads every time the trigger is pulled. Use more generalized descriptions, such as rifle or handgun, until such details become available. Often, the most important detail about a weapon used in a crime is the size of its magazine. AR- and AK-style rifles generally have magazines that carry 10 to 30 rounds, but can be fitted with specialized magazines that hold far more. The shorthand AR does not stand for "assault rifle," but for ArmaLite Rifle, a reference to the company that first designed it for military use. Some military versions of an AR-style rifle can be set to fire in an automatic mode. Under the National Firearms Act, automatic rifles are restricted in the United States to the military, law enforcement and civilians who have obtained special licenses to own such weapons (provided the weapons were manufactured before May 19, 1986). anti-aircraft A cannon or other weapon designed for defense against air attack. The form: a 105 mm anti-aircraft gun. artillery A carriage-mounted cannon. automatic A firearm that reloads automatically after each shot. The term should not be used to describe the rate of fire. To avoid confusion, specify fully automatic or semi-automatic rather than simply automatic. Give the type of weapon or model for clarity. bolt-action rifle A manually operated handle on the barrel opens and closes the breech, ejecting a spent round, loading another and cocking the weapon for triggering. Popular for hunting and target-shooting. Example: Remington 700. Some shotguns are bolt-action. buckshot See shot. bullet The projectile fired by a rifle, pistol or machine gun. Together with metal casing, primer and propellant, it forms a cartridge. caliber A measurement of the diameter of the inside of a gun barrel except for most shotguns. Measurement is in either millimeters or decimal fractions of an inch. The word caliber is not used when giving the metric measurement. The forms: a 9 mm pistol, a .22-caliber rifle. cannon A weapon, usually supported on some type of carriage, that fires explosive projectiles. The form: a 105 mm cannon. Plural is cannons. carbine A short, lightweight rifle, usually having a barrel length of less than 20 inches. The form: an M3 carbine. cartridge See bullet. clip Do not use this term unless in a quote. The correct term is magazine to describe the device used to store multiple rounds of ammunition together as a unit, ready for insertion into a firearm. A clip is a device that stores rounds together that can then be used to load bullets into a magazine. See magazine for a fuller description. Colt Named for Samuel Colt, it designates a make of weapon or ammunition developed for Colt handguns. The forms: a Colt .45-caliber revolver, .45 Colt ammunition. fully automatic A firearm that fires continuously as long as the trigger is depressed. Examples include machine guns and submachine guns. gauge The measure of the size of a shotgun. Gauge is expressed in terms of the number per pound of round lead balls with a diameter equal to the size of the barrel. The bigger the number, the smaller the shotgun. The forms: a 12-gauge shotgun, a .410 shotgun. The .410 actually is a caliber, but commonly is called a gauge. The ball leaving the barrel is 0.41" in diameter. handgun A pistol or a revolver. howitzer A cannon shorter than a gun of the same caliber employed to fire projectiles at relatively high angles at a target, such as opposing forces behind a ridge. The form: a 105 mm howitzer. lever-action rifle A handle on the stock ejects and loads cartridges and cocks the rifle for triggering. A firearm often associated with the Old West. Example: Winchester 94. M1, M16 These and similar combinations of a letter and figure(s) designate rifles used by the military. The forms: an M1 rifle, an M16 rifle. machine gun A fully automatic gun that fires as long as the trigger is depressed and bullets are chambered. Such a weapon is generally so large and heavy that it rests on the ground or a mount. A submachine gun is hand-held. The form: a .50-caliber Browning machine gun. magazine The ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a firearm. It may be fixed to the firearm or detachable. It is not a clip. Magnum A trademark for a type of high-powered cartridge with a larger case and a larger powder charge than other cartridges of approximately the same caliber. The form: a .357 Magnum, a .44 Magnum. mortar Device used to launch a mortar shell; it is the shell, not the mortar, that is fired. musket A heavy, large-caliber shoulder firearm fired by means of a matchlock, a wheel lock, a flintlock or a percussion lock. Its ammunition is a musket ball. pistol A handgun that can be a single shot or a semi-automatic. Differs from a revolver in that the chamber and barrel are one integral part. Its size is measured in calibers. The form: a .45-caliber pistol. revolver A handgun. Differs from a pistol in that cartridges are held in chambers in a cylinder that revolves through the barrel. The form: a .45-caliber revolver. rifle A firearm designed or made to be fired from the shoulder and having a rifled bore. It uses bullets or cartridges for ammunition. Its size is measured in calibers. The form: a .22-caliber rifle. Saturday night special A compact, relatively inexpensive handgun. semi-automatic A firearm that fires only once for each pull of the trigger. It reloads after each shot. The form: a semi-automatic rifle, a semi-automatic weapon, a semi-automatic pistol. The hyphen is an exception to general guidance against hyphenating words formed with semi-. See semi-automatic rifle, assault rifle, assault weapon. shell The word applies to military or naval ammunition and to shotgun ammunition. For small arms, bullet or round is the common term for ammunition. shot Small lead or steel pellets fired by shotguns. A shotgun shell usually contains 1 to 2 ounces of shot. Do not use shot interchangeably with buckshot, which refers only to the largest shot sizes. shotgun A firearm typically used to fire small spherical pellets called shot. Shotguns usually have a smooth bore barrel, but some contain a rifled barrel, which is used to fire a single projectile. Size is measured according to gauge, except for the .410, which is measured according to caliber, meaning the ball leaving the barrel is 0.41" in diameter. The form: a 12-gauge shotgun, a .410 shotgun. silencer, suppressor A device that muffles the sound of a firearm. They are colloquially known as silencers but are more accurately referred to as suppressors. The device reduces the sound a gun makes when it's fired but does not eliminate the sound. They generally lower the sound level by 20 to 35 decibels, making most firearms still louder than the average ambulance siren. For clarity, describe the device as a firearm suppressor, and note that it is generally known in generic terms as a silencer. To legally purchase the device, it must be bought from a licensed dealer and the buyer must undergo an extensive background check. The background check, similar to what is required to purchase fully automatic weapons, is tightly regulated under the National Firearms Act of 1934. Each suppressor carries a serial number that can be tracked. Suppressors were invented in the early 1900s by MIT-educated Hiram Percy Maxim, who invented a muffler for gasoline engines. The devices were brought under National Firearms Act regulations after Depression-era game wardens were concerned hunters would use them to poach. submachine gun A lightweight fully automatic gun firing handgun ammunition

impeachment

Impeachment by the U.S. House is the first part of a two-step process set out by the Constitution for the removal of a federal official, up to and including the president. Though this is a political, not a legal process, impeachment is the equivalent of an indictment - a determination that there is enough evidence to proceed to a trial, which would be conducted by the Senate. The Constitution does not describe the process in great detail. Article 1, Section 2, says merely that "The House of Representatives shall ... have the sole Power of Impeachment." An official may be impeached for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." The Constitution does not define "high Crimes and Misdemeanors." But there is general agreement that they need not be criminal activities in a legal sense, and that "high Crimes" are abuses of power. Do not use as a synonym for conviction or removal from office.

legislative bodies

In general, capitalize the proper name of a specific legislative body abroad: the Knesset, the Diet. The most frequent names in use are Congress, National Assembly and Parliament. GENERIC USES: Lowercase parliament or a similar term only when used generically to describe a body for which the formal name is being given: the Diet, Japan's parliament. PLURALS: Lowercase parliament and similar terms in plural constructions: the parliaments of England and France, the English and French parliaments. INDIVIDUAL HOUSES: The principle applies also to individual houses of the nation's legislature, just as Senate and House are capitalized in the United States: ROME (AP) - New leaders have taken control in the Chamber of Deputies. Lowercase assembly when used as a shortened reference to national assembly. In many countries, national assembly is the name of a unicameral legislative body. In some, such as France, it is the name for the lower house of a legislative body known by some other name such as parliament.

Medal of Freedom

It is now the Presidential Medal of Freedom. See entry under that name

merchant marine

Lowercase in referring to the ships of a nation used in commerce. Capitalize only in references to the organization the Merchant Marine or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Members are merchant mariners or merchant crewmen, but not marines.

parliamentary

Lowercase unless part of a proper name

nationalist

Lowercase when referring to a partisan of a country. Capitalize only when referring to alignment with a political party for which this is the proper name

administration

Lowercase: the administration, the president's administration, the governor's administration, the Biden administration. See government, junta, regime, administration for distinctions that apply in using these terms.

al-Qaida

Muslim militant group founded by Osama bin Laden that carried out the attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. Bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan in May 2011. Al-Qaida's current leader is Ayman al-Zawahri. Affiliated groups include: al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, operating in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Nusra Front, operating in Syria. al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, operating in the Sahel region, a region along the Sahara Desert stretching across North Africa. Khorasan group, an al-Qaida cell that the United States says operated in Syria to plot attacks on the U.S.

attorney general

Never abbreviate. Capitalize only when used as a title before a name: Attorney General William Barr.

pocket veto

Occurs only when Congress has adjourned. If Congress is in session, a bill that remains on the president's desk for 10 days becomes law without his signature. If Congress adjourns, however, a bill that fails to get his signature within 10 days is vetoed. Many states have similar procedures, but the precise requirements vary

Republican National Committee

On second reference: the national committee, the committee and the RNC. Similarly: Republican State Committee, Republican County Committee, Republican City Committee, the state committee, the county committee, the city committee, the committee.

Democratic National Committee

On the second reference: the national committee, the committee or the DNC. Similarly: Democratic State Committee, Democratic County Committee, Democratic City Committee, the state committee, the city committee, the committee.

lie in state

Only people who are entitled to a state funeral may formally lie in state. In the United States, this occurs in the rotunda in the Capitol. Those entitled to a state funeral are a president, a former president, a president-elect or any other person designated by the president. Members of Congress may lie in state, and a number have done so. The decision is either house's to make, although the formal process normally begins with a request from the president. Those entitled to an official funeral, but not to lie in state, are the vice president, the chief justice, Cabinet members and other government officials when designated by the president.

prisoner(s) of war

POW(s) is acceptable on second reference. Hyphenate when used as a compound modifier: a prisoner-of-war trial.

Air Force One

The Air Force applies this name to any of its aircraft the president of the United States may be using. In ordinary usage, however, Air Force One is the name of the Air Force plane normally reserved for the president's use.

constitution

The U.S. Constitution is made up of the original preamble that begins "We the people" and seven articles that took effect in 1789, and 27 amendments added between 1791 and 1992. The first 10 of those amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The articles establish the system of government; the Bill of Rights mainly lays out rights guaranteed to the people. The rest of the amendments expand on the original document (prohibiting slavery, expanding the right to vote, limiting a president's terms, for example). Some reflect society's changing values, such as Prohibition and its repeal. The articles and many amendments are divided into sections, but the most important elements of articles and amendments often are identified as clauses. Clauses get their names from key words or phrases, like the commerce clause in Article 1, Section 8, the free speech clause in the First Amendment or the equal protection clause in section 1 of the 14th amendment. Capitalize references to the U.S. Constitution, with or without the U.S. modifier: The president said he supports the Constitution. When referring to constitutions of other nations or of states, capitalize only with the name of a nation or a state: the French Constitution, the Massachusetts Constitution, the nation's constitution, the state constitution, the constitution. Lowercase in other uses: the organization's constitution. Lowercase constitutional in all uses. See constitutional amendments, clauses.

Medicare

The federal health care insurance program for people aged 65 and over, and for the disabled. Eligibility is based mainly on eligibility for Social Security. Medicare helps pay charges for hospitalization, for stays in skilled nursing facilities, for physician's charges and for some associated health costs. There are limitations on the length of stay and type of care. In Canada, Medicare refers to the nation's national health insurance program.

Medicaid

The federal-state health care insurance program that helps pay for health care for low-income people of any age. Coverage varies by state; each state determines eligibility and the full scope of services covered. The federal government reimburses a percentage of the state's expenditures.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution

Election Day

The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November

Department of Agriculture etc.

The following are the U.S. Cabinet departments: Department of Agriculture (USDA acceptable on second reference); Department of Commerce; Department of Defense (DOD or Pentagon acceptable on second reference); Department of Education; Department of Energy (DOE acceptable on second reference); Department of Health and Human Services (HHS acceptable on second reference); Department of Homeland Security (DHS acceptable on second reference); Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD acceptable on second reference); Department of the Interior; Department of Justice (DOJ acceptable on second reference); Department of Labor; Department of State; Department of Transportation (DOT acceptable on second reference); Department of the Treasury, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA acceptable on second reference). It is preferable to list the subject first in stories, such as the Agriculture Department and Commerce Department. Exceptions are Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Veterans Affairs. Avoid acronyms when possible. A phrase such as the department is preferable on second reference because it is more readable and avoids alphabet soup. Lowercase department in plural uses, but capitalize the proper name element: the departments of Labor and Justice. A shorthand reference to the proper name element also is capitalized: Kissinger said, "State and Justice must resolve their differences." But: Henry Kissinger, the secretary of state. Lowercase the department whenever it stands alone. Do not abbreviate department in any usage. TITLES: In stories with U.S. datelines, do not include U.S. before the titles of Secretary of State or other government officials, except where necessary for clarity. Examples: Secretary of State John Kerry, Attorney General Eric Holder. In stories with international datelines, include U.S. before the titles: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Exceptions: President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Medal of Honor

The nation's highest military honor, awarded by Congress for risk of life in combat beyond the call of duty. Use Medal of Honor recipient or a synonym, but not winner. There is no Congressional Medal of Honor.

Marxism (Marxist)

The system of thought developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. See political parties and philosophies.

National Institutes of Health

This agency within the Department of Health and Human Services is the principal biomedical research arm of the federal government. NIH is acceptable on second reference. There are 27 institutes or centers, including the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Mental Health.

filibuster

To filibuster is to make long speeches to obstruct the passage of legislation. A legislator who used such methods also is a filibuster, not a filibusterer.

minority leader

Treat the same as majority leader. See that entry

air base

Two words. Follow the practice of the U.S. Air Force, which uses air force base as part of the proper name for its bases in the United States and air base for its installations abroad. Some bases have become joint bases with other services. On second reference: the Air Force base, the air base, or the base. Do not abbreviate, even in datelines: LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AP) - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AP) -

guerrilla

Unorthodox soldiers and their tactics.

political divisions

Use Arabic figures and capitalize the accompanying word when used with the figures: 1st Ward, 10th Ward, 3rd Precinct, 22nd Precinct, the ward, the precinct

military units

Use Arabic figures and capitalize the key words when linked with the figures: 1st Infantry Division (or the 1st Division), 5th Battalion, 395th Field Artillery, 7th Fleet. But: the division, the battalion, the artillery, the fleet.

G-8

Use a hyphen in the abbreviated form for the Group of Seven, made up of representatives of the major industrial nations, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. Russia was suspended from the Group of Eight in March 2014. A general description rather than the full name is preferred on first reference: Leading industrial nations. See G-20.

court decisions

Use figures and a hyphen: The Supreme Court ruled 5-4, a 5-4 decision. The word to is not needed, but use hyphens if it appears in quoted matter: The court ruled 5-to-4, the 5-to-4 decision.

fleet

Use figures and capitalize fleet when forming a proper name: the 6th Fleet. Lowercase fleet whenever it stands alone

primary day

Use lowercase for any of the days set aside for balloting in a primary.

politics

Usually it takes a plural verb: My politics are my own business.

Veterans of Foreign Wars

VFW is acceptable on second reference. Headquarters is in Kansas City, Missouri.