Today, something surer than politics to bring partisans to blows: the Oxford comma.
The Oxford, both detested and loved, appears before the words “and” or “or” in a series of items. With an Oxford comma: “Democrats, Republicans, and independents.” Without: “Donkey, elephant or Tootsie Roll.”
Grammar nuts fight about that tiny ink spot.
“You can have my oxford comma when you pry it from my cold, dead, and lifeless hands,” a partisan wrote about a music video named “Oxford Comma.”
I’ve spent my professional life in journalism, where the Associated Press Stylebook rules. AP says nix the Oxford comma.
Book editors and others generally embrace the Chicago Manual of Style, which says nix not.
Now, as a university journalism instructor, I preach “no Oxford commas.” I deduct points, for emphasis. Saving the world by saving commas!
Oxford fans suggest writing will plunge into confusion and incomprehension without their precious scribble.
It’s occasionally needed for clarity, of course. But communication does not usually hang on a comma.
Still, in this scribble squabble, I don’t much care. Just following my comma tribe.
More on writing and punctuation
You, too, can be an apostrophe warrior
If you take points away from students because they “comma” incorrectly,,,, you must get absolutely violently ill after reading my writings. But then again,,, a friend doesn’t sweat the small stuff in a relationship. Thanks for not pointing out the errors of my ways.
Bill Thrash
Bill, you tell stories well. That’s more important than commas, always. Thanks for sharing them.