A reader recently emailed me this question:
A woman who is a columnist for our local San Luis Obispo Tribune always capitalizes the word husband when it precedes his name, i.e. Husband Richard.
She also capitalizes Son Sean. When I grumbled about it to a friend who edits books she claimed that was proper. Wondering what your take on this is.
Sharyn
Thanks for the email, Sharyn.
If they’re used like a title (similar to King George or President Johnson), then I could see an argument for capitalizing it, as in “I am going to Hawaii with Husband Richard.” If it’s being used in a more common for, such as “I am going to Hawaii with my husband.” then I wouldn’t capitalize it.
It’s kind of a weird way to refer to someone though.
Hope that helps.