Oxford Comma Or Not?

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/27/brexit-50p-coin-boycott-philip-pullman-oxford-comma
I say it doesn't need one.

[albaqwerty]

I've just finished reading an article about this.
Concensus was that is doesn't need one.

I don't think it needs one either.

Storm in a tea-cup

[ichkeria]

Of course it doesn’t “need” one.
It’s a matter of style.
I personally don’t use it

[elliemay1]

I don't think it needs one either

[naomi24]

It doesn't 'need' one, but I would have used one. That said, the sentiment is clear - and that's all that matters.

[ToraToraTora]

It should be used to clarify, when needed, there are some good examples in the article eg: // “Compare: ‘I dedicate this book to my parents, Martin Amis, and JK Rowling’ with ‘I dedicate this book to my parents, Martin Amis and JK Rowling’.” //- good example without the Oxford Comma it looks like Martin Amis and JK Rowling are my parents. The 50p has no comparable ambiguity.

[Mamyalynne]

Sentence functions well with or without.

[woofgang]

If Phillip Pullman says it needs one then I disagree on principle!

[diddlydo]

I couldn't care a whatsit about the Oxford comma or not - but the "celebratory" coin shouldn't exist. Let all us Remainers try and take it out of circulation by hoarding and/or deface it .

[ichkeria]

The Oxford comma is purely a style thing. Called such as it was used by the Oxford University press. It’s purpose is not to resolve ambiguity, so I’d argue that the example of Amis and Rowling quoted above is still ambiguous.
To resolve it probably you need an “and’ after “parents”

[ludwig]

I always use it.

Smokey bacon, cheese, and onion are three things.
Smokey Bacon, cheese and onion. That's two things.

[Mamyalynne]

You should write my shopping lists, that's where I'm going wrong Ludwig.

[ichkeria]

If you are using it to try and be unambiguous then it’s not an Oxford comma :-)

[ludwig]

I'd be happy to do it Lynne. My point is, the comma changes the meaning. It's not just decorative. It's like the bracket in maths.

[brainiac]

Good analogy, ludwig

[ludwig]

//If you are using it to try and be unambiguous then it’s not an Oxford comma :-) //

Maybe so. I'll be honest, I've never heard the term 'Oxford comma' before. I just know that the comma is important and shouldn't be excluded as a matter of course.

[Cloverjo]

It shouldn’t have one.

[Mamyalynne]

I see all the points but still think the sentence in question doesn't need it.

[10ClarionSt]

How can cheese and onion be one thing? Cheese, yer know, cheese? And onion, yer know, onion? Anyway, it's a load of cobblers'. Er, cobbler's. Cobbler,s?

[ludwig]

I do think the guy's a bit of a numpty to get all upset about it.
He is right though. :-)

Anyway, how is he proposing this boycott works? Whenever you get one you refuse to accept it or spend it? Yeah right, we'll all do that I'm sure.

[Cloverjo]

I think other languages have other ways with the ‘and’.
In English eg we might ask for packets of cheese & onion and salt & vinegar crisps. The & links the bits together.