Dear Dr. Ink:
We are struggling with a grammar question in our newsroom. We do a weekly segment on legislative issues with a reporter live from Raleigh, our state capital. We call the segment “Straight from the Capitol.” However, the segment is not actually live at the Capitol Building. The legislature is also not at the Capitol Building, but the General Assembly building. Should we continue to call this “Straight from the Capitol” or “Straight from the Capital?”
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Sharon Cole
Answer:
This reminds Dr. Ink of one of his favorite jokes. A woman gets off an airplane in Honolulu. A man is standing at the gate. He greets visitors with floral leis. The woman approaches him:
“Aloha. By the way, I’ve always wondered: Is it pronounced Ha-w-aii or Ha-v-aii?”
“Ha-v-aii.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re velcome.”
[Cymbal. Rimshot]
Capital? Or Capitol?
Dr. Ink says it depends upon whether you place greater value on accuracy or marketing. The technical distinction is fairly easy to remember. The ‘capital’ is a city or town. The
