Actually, NO. It's actually Caltechgirl.

Caltech is ONE WORD. Really. And the T is NEVER capitalized.

Check my blog. I NEVER capitalize the T.

If it was multiple words it would be Cal Inst Tech, since the full name is California Institute of Technology.

Just one of my pet peeves.

Hm. Okay. Let's think this through.

Normally, the way a phrase evolves goes like this: two words, hyphenated compound, and then run together. For instance, 15 years ago I was a copy editor, and now in publishing circles I call myself a copyeditor.

And I used to e-mail people, but now I generally email them.

So perhaps after years of Cal Tech, it became Caltech (though I could see an argument for CalTech; I'm hoping Cal-Tech was skipped, due to its being egregiously ugly--though it probably was used adjectivally). However, there's no rule that dictates that the nickname would have to be Cal Inst Tech. For one thing, there are many ways of abbreviating California. For another, nicknames are weird: how did Robert beome Bob? How did William become Bill? The idea that all shortening of names follows the same pattern is incorrect.

Of course, if you feel that strongly, I can certainly call you Caltechgirl. Except on those occasions when you decide to take the wrong side of an issue, when I would find myself "accidentally" breaking the name.

Are you sure about this, though? After all, Caltech (yeech) modifies "girl." I still think there should be at least one break in there: it's a bit of a mouthful this way. Also, it's a proper noun. You want more capital letters. They make a name look more namelike.

Well, Caltech is the preferred name that everyone on campus uses.... CalTech is right out. It is however, Tech if used with out the "Cal" Modifier.... Also previously referred to as the "Big T"....

I'll go for Caltech Girl. That's acceptable. Just not CalTech Girl. Or Cal Tech Girl Or Caltech Gal.

Interesting, the Firefox dictionary recognizes Caltech, but not CalTech...

CITeGirl

No thanks necessary. . .

How about "Tech Chick from Oldmoneyville"?

or "Biology Maven from Gambletown"?

or "The Microscope Mistress from The Land of the Roses"?

Whaaaaaat? Too wordy?

...btw, it's "California Institute of (capital T) Technology."

8-O

Leelu! You missed the joke. I'm surprised at you.

Let's not fall asleep at the switch again. ;)