September 27, 2007: Issue 206
In general, lowercase professional designations:
certified kitchen designer
certified diabetes educator
certified public accountant
However, capitalize the associated acronyms:
CKD
CDE
CPA
Exceptions to the lowercase rule:
Realtor (because the term is trademarked)
Master Gardener (to avoid confusion with master as an adjective meaning skilled)
A blog after our own hearts: Check out Bethany Keeley, who chronicles the gratuitous use of quotation marks. Her collection of passive-aggressive notes is fun, too.
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