M
magazine names — Capitalize the initial letters of the name but do not place it in quotes. Lowercase magazine unless it is part of the publication’s formal title.
mascot — The UH mascot is a cougar named Shasta. The mascot has a pal named Sasha. UH Cougars are often called Coogs. Between 1947 and 1989, five live cougars served as mascots; since Shasta V’s death in 1989, costumed students have carried on the tradition. See Our History and Traditions
media — Generally takes a plural verb, especially when the reference is to individual outlets. Sometimes used with a singular verb when referring to media as a monolithic group:/p>
The media are on campus interviewing students.
The media routinely features UH faculty experts.
meme —A piece of information or visual content that’s shared or transmitted widely, often via social media or by internet users. A meme is often a humorous image, video or piece of text.
mention — The inclusion of someone’s username in a social media post, to notify that user of the post and/or connect readers to the user’s profile. Example: Tag @UHouston for a chance to win prizes.
midnight — Do not combine “12 midnight.”
millennials — Members of the generation following Generation X, or two generations after the 1946 to 1964 baby-boom generation. Also known as Generation Y. Definitions vary for the years this generation spans; the time period should be specified when possible. Lowercase millennial, millennials.
millions, billions — Use figures with million, billion or trillion in all except casual uses. Do not hyphenate. Do not drop the word million or billion in the first figure of a range.
I need $4 million to $8 million.
There are a billion reasons why I love chocolate.
In headlines, abbreviate only millions, billions:
$5M research grant, $1.25B fundraising campaign
months — See dates
multicultural — Not multi-cultural
multimedia — Not multi-media
music —Do not use quotation marks on descriptive titles for orchestral works.
Bach’s Suite No. 1 for Orchestra
Use quotation marks for nonmusical terms in a title or for works with a special full title.
Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony, “Rhapsody in Blue”
myriad — (adj.) Do not combine with “of.”
The myriad conference topics are overwhelming.