Editing Battlestar Wiki:FAQ/Proper BSG nouns

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[[Wikipedia:Frequently asked questions|Frequently asked questions]] for [[Wikipedia:proper nouns]].

== "Centurian" vs. "Centurion": Which one is the proper spelling? ==

The proper spelling for the Cylon soldier depicted in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original series]] is "Centurion".  

While this [[:Image:Cylon_centurion_model_0005.jpg|screencap]] references a document from the [[Miniseries]], this is incorrect -- actually, there are some items on this document that are not truly canon and have already been contradicted by other events in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|2004 series]].  (For instance, the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Colonials]] in the current BSG do not use the term "[[yahren]]" for "[[Wikipedia:year|year]]".)

We have an example of the proper spelling, taken from a screen capture (with subtitles enabled) of the episode "[[The Hand of God (TOS)]]".  (See: [[:Image:Spelling.jpg|Spelling.jpg]])

== Basestar vs. basestar / Battlestar vs. battlestar / Raider vs. raider: Do I capitalize the first letter or not? ==

The following can be spelled ''with '''or''' without'' the capitalization of the first letter.  While they may technically fall under [[Wikipedia:proper nouns|proper nouns]], they are used in both series as a form of [[Wikipedia:mass noun|mass noun]].  

For example, a [[Viper (RDM)|viper]] is just a form of aerospace fighter [[Wikipedia:plane|plane]].  The word plane ''could'' be capitalized, but in common usage it isn't.  Same with "submarine" or "aircraft carrier".

The following are a list of words in ''Battlestar'' that are considered mass nouns:

* [[basestar]]
* [[battlestar]]
* [[raider]]
* [[viper]]

== How do I abbreviate ''Battlestar Galactica''? ==

''Battlestar Galactica'' has been abbreviated as "BG" or "BSG" by most fans.  

In this Wiki, the preferred acronym is "BSG", as "BG" has a wider meaning in terms of what it abbreviates. (i.e. "BG" is shorthand for "background; see: [[Wikipedia:BG]] for the acronym's disambiguation page)

To abbreviate this wiki's name itself, we recommend "BSG Wiki" or "BSWiki."

== How should I refer to the show? (''Battlestar'' vs. ''Galactica'')==

If you're writing an article and feel that the acronym doesn't cut it, then you should refer to the series itself as ''Battlestar''.  

Media outlets have been known to refer to the series as ''Galactica'' as well, which aid in the confusion. 

For the purposes of this Wiki, referring to the show using the term ''Galactica'' can be easily confused with the actual [[Galactica|ship]]. So, all articles referring to the show should use the term ''Battlestar'' as a one-word shorthand. If you referencing the 1978 show, you can also use "Original ''Battlestar''" for clarity.

== See also ==
* [[Battlestar Wiki:Standards and Conventions]]
* [[Battlestar Wiki:FAQ]]
* [[Talk:Cylon Centurian Model 0005]]

[[Category: Wikipedia|{{PAGENAME}}]]