The Etiquette and Grammar of 'Meet and Greet': Capitalization, Hyphenation, and Usage

The term 'meet and greet' is a common phrase used in various settings, from business to social events. But how should it be written and capitalized? Let's delve into the grammatical etiquette surrounding this phrase.

Understanding 'Meet and Greet'

'Meet and greet' can refer to a formal or informal event where individuals are welcomed or introduced to one another. It is often seen in contexts such as corporate settings, public speaking engagements, or entertainment industry meet-and-greets. For instance, 'We attended a meet and greet with the new team members' or 'The company is organizing a Meet and Greet session for new employees.' This phrase can also be used in a more casual manner as in 'I went to meet and greet a friend at the park.'

Capitalization of 'Meet and Greet'

There is some debate over the appropriate capitalization of 'meet and greet.' In formal settings, such as official titles or events, it may be capitalized. For example, 'Blink 182’s Super Nifty Meet and Greet!' However, in general usage, this phrase is typically lowercase unless it appears at the beginning of a sentence. 'Afternoon tea' and 'dinnertime' are not capitalized, but if it refers to an official function, it should be capitalized. For instance, 'The Queen of England had a Dinner Party.' In the vast majority of cases, 'meet and greet' remains in lowercase, making it resemble other common phrases like 'afternoon tea' or 'dinnertime.'

Hyphenation in 'Meet and Greet'

Hyphenation is another point of contention. Some dictionaries and style guides advocate for the hyphenation of 'meet-and-greet,' viewing it as a compound noun. For instance, 'Magazine article titles often capitalize and hyphenate phrases like 'meet-and-greet.' ' However, it is often left unhyphenated and written as 'meet and greet.' The Associated Press Stylebook, for example, suggests leaving it open without a hyphen. Merriam-Webster does not hyphenate it, while Oxford does. In general, it is a matter of personal and contextual preference, as it can be either hyphenated or not.

Conclusion

While there is no definitive rule, the consensus is that 'meet and greet' should remain lowercase and can be hyphenated in certain contexts. It is a common phrase that should be treated like other similar expressions. It's important to follow the style guidelines of the publication or the specific context you are writing in. For instance, in formal documentations or news articles, it may be best to capitalize and hyphenate it, but in personal communications, it is more casual to leave it as 'meet and greet.'

Key Takeaways

The correct spelling is 'meet-and-greet' or 'meet and greet.' Capitalize and use a hyphen for official titles or event names. Follow the style guide of your publication or industry preference.