Meanings
- uncountableA form of capitalization where capital letters are placed throughout the word(s), formerly used in the script kiddie subculture and now to convey mockery through text messages or in online discussions.
I'm compelled to draw the line at aLtErNaTiNg CaPs.
2006, Dan Macsai, ALtErNaTiNg CaPs are damaging our children1 more example
Nowadays, there's the common practice of typing a word in all caps to indicate SCREAMING, the use of aLteRnAtInG cApS (often associated with SpongeBob memes) to convey mockery
2019, Nicole Galluci, A look at the Ubiquitous Habit of capitalizing letters to make A PointSynonyms: alternating case, spongecase
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA form of capitalization where capital letters are placed throughout the word(s), formerly used in the script kiddie subculture and now to convey mockery through text messages or in online discussions.
Origin
Cite this entry
alternating caps. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/alternating%20caps
“alternating caps.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/alternating%20caps. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “alternating caps,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/alternating%20caps.
Source: alternating caps on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.