The practice of capitalizing “email” is a stylistic choice concerning the written form of the electronic mail term. Initially, as a proper noun referencing Electronic Mail, capitalization was standard. However, as the technology became ubiquitous and transitioned into everyday language, the capitalization became less consistent, with lowercase “email” gaining prominence.
The shift towards lowercase usage reflects a broader trend in language where brand names and technological terms often lose their initial capitalization as they become commonplace. This evolution mirrors the path of other words born from proprietary names or acronyms. Standardized style guides, such as the AP Stylebook, now recommend lowercase “email,” indicating its acceptance as a generic term rather than a specific brand or system.