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Q. When using “Google” as a verb—Googled, Googling, etc.—should it be capitalized? Even if one is not referring necessarily to the use of the official Google website, but merely using “google” loosely as a synonym for checking something out?

A. Google is a brand name; at least in formal writing, you should always capitalize it—unless, for example, you are writing about a certain type of tricky bowling in a cricket match. See CMOS 8.153 for more details.