My site description says “knowledge management, good Web content, duck confit, odd bits of beauty, general nerdliness, and the Oxford comma.”
While I *use* the Oxford comma on this blog, I am not sure I have really blogged about it, per se. My brother-in-law Seth called me on this the other day–and then a lot of people read this news story and told me it made them think of me. I’m quite proud.
I am a staunch, steadfast proponent and defender of the Oxford comma. None of the arguments against it make sense to me, when weighed against the arguments for it. I’m not going to try to convince you, though. You can do that for yourself. (Just Google “Oxford Comma” and be amazed at the nerdery and vitriol.)
Lynne Truss’ lovely Eats, Shoots & Leaves calls the comma a “grammatical sheepdog” that “tears about on the hillside of language, endlessly organising [sic] words into sensible groups and making them stay put.” Ms. Truss acknowledges the pro vs con argument and advises “There are people who embrace the Oxford comma and those who don’t, and I’ll just say this: never get between these people when drink has been taken.”
Funny examples:
- Mental Floss: The Best Shots Fired in the Oxford Comma Wars (includes pro and con arguments)
Times when a comma (not always Oxford) made a difference in the outcome of a court case: