Its name is always pretentious, and its purpose is always the same. Ive seen this before, however it wasnt for punctuation, but capitalization. His documentary on humor in the third reich, laughing with hitler, scored top audience ratings on german channel 1 and the bbc. The last comma can serve to resolve ambiguity, it says. A judge ruled in the drivers favor last march, and it was all thanks to the lack of an oxford comma in a maine labor law. The reason the oxford comma feels forced so often is because there is already a builtin separation between the final and second element in those phrases. If youre writing books for the us market, cmos says yes on the serial comma. People disagree about the oxford comma, so do what you want. Without the oxford comma logo design branding graphic. Hopefully, it will help people understand the correct use of a comma in fiction. I personally use it when the items are longer, but omit it when theyre shorter, but there isnt a specific rule for it. The luckless game of thrones warrior wants to take the iron throne, and in his quest is guilty of all manner of horrors, even burning his own child. The oxford style manual, meant for the general public and last published in 2003 by oxford university press, a department of the university of oxford, recommends using the oxford comma in all cases. May 12, 2017 question 2 do you use the oxford comma.
In most cases, the and takes the place of the comma. It was intended to make a sentence clear from confusion or ambiguity. Here we have a huge list of funny hitler jokes including other jokes related to jews and germans. Usually a comma just curls obediently at the foot of a word, like a friendly sheepdog. From that point forward i picked up on the usage of the oxford comma in all of my childrens books. See more ideas about serial comma, oxford and humor. There is a new meme out there well, perhaps its not new, but it is all over facebook. Jul 27, 2015 the oxford comma became the subject of a petition raised by serious serialists desperate to ensure its use was to be mandated in lists of three or more.
Whether you use the comma is a matter of style, meaning that some style guides call for it and some dont. My biggest influences are my parents, god and mother teresa. So valuable is that serial comma that its on frickin page 2 of strunk and white, right after the possessive apostrophe. He writes in his new book, no sentence has ever been harmed by a series comma. The oxford comma is necessary in this sentence as its written. However, if you dont include an oxford comma, some things could actually be implied. Give your own example where you would need to use the oxford comma. It is going to be the party of the century when the rhinos, washington and lincoln show up. The oxford comma is so contentious a grammatical issue that it. And sure enough, the main title of the entertaining guide comes from a violent joke. The chicago manual of style uses it, as does oxford university press style. Great for listing, pontificating, and winning court cases.
Funny pictures about the great importance of the oxford comma. For one thing, we really should have a set rule so that it stops being such a constant debate. The oxford commaalso called the serial comma and the harvard commais a regular source of confusion and angst. The use of the oxford comma also called a serial comma delineates the final item on a list. The son of celebrated director werner herzog, he lives in berlin. That depends on whether youre for or against the oxford comma perhaps the most hotly contested punctuation mark of all time. Given the fact that wozniak did dialajoke for fun, knowing he would lose money on the proposition, we had to pick one of these little books up.
Can it really be optional, or is there a universal rule. Paste books helps you find what to read next, whether you love literary fiction. Mar 21, 2014 the oxford comma, otherwise known as the serial comma, perhaps is one of the best ways to incite an online riot. Mary norris began working at the new yorker in 1978 and was a query proofreader at the magazine for twentyfour years. Most newspapers and magazines drop the oxford comma in a simple series. Mar 24, 2017 the antioxford comma contingent says its unnecessary and may even add ambiguity. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or, it is known as the oxford comma.
Grammar nerds and nazis alike have taken up arms to fight for this punctuation mark struggling for survival. It is going to be the party of the century when the rhinos, washington, and lincoln show up. A popular joke about entitled white women is now a big pandemic meme. Hemingway against the oxford comma what would bale do. The oxford comma, plus every comma rule you need to know by dr. As a diehard oxford comma loyalist, this ruling made my day.
But thats nothing compared to learning that two of americas most storied presidents were actually african megafauna. Read the serial oxford comma from the story how to write fiction by eliciahyder elicia hyder with 5,203 reads. Joey hall is another passenger on this spaceship we call a planet, fairly unremarkable except for those things about him which one might make a remark. The oxford comma debate is one that has burnt a hole through the literary community for quite some time now.
The importance of the oxford comma brian bilstons poetry. Blpractical a wide range of topics introduce new words in their most common context. Home thoughts and perspectives the oxford comma, plus every comma rule you need to know. The oxford comma, plus every comma rule you need to know. However, the omission of the oxford comma can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. Never imagined someone could make a joke with one of the most ruthless leaders the world ever had, but indeed these jokes are funny. The serial comma, as its also known, comes before the coordinating conjunction such as and or or in a. Jefferson chase is one of the foremost translators of german history. But thats nothing compared to learning that two of americas. In a list of three or more items, the oxford comma also known as the serial comma or the harvard comma is the comma used immediately before a grammatical conjunction usually and or preceding the final item in the list. Welcome to jfk and stalin, a celebration of all that is great about the english language and perhaps the odd nod to recognise those who wilfully mangle it as well. But the comma is common in book and academic publishing. Obviously, there are some pretty serious implications. The oxford comma or the serial comma is the comma before and in a list of three or more items.
Judge stealing one can of peaches with 6 peaches in it. The oxford comma is the comma before the and in a list. Jan 28, 2008 grant barrett, editor of the doubletongued dictionary, puts it this way. Oxford commanistas around the world are having a heyday over a recent push alert sent by sky news, which they believe is the endall, beall argument in favor of their precious punctuation mark. Oxford comma grammar joke blue watercolour typography sticker. Experimental psychologist steven pinker talks about a few cherished grammar rules hed prefer to see forgottenand replies to critics of his book the sense of style.
Your oxford comma just made hitler a stripper, when we invited the stripper, hitler and. Oxford cleared of serial comma killing books the guardian. With this example, one can see how the oxford comma could come in handy at times. Oxford writing and style guide no longer recommending the. How to write fiction the serial oxford comma wattpad. High school grammar lesson with jfk, stalin, and strippers. The oxford comma sometimes called the harvard comma but usually called a serial comma is the one that happens before. The test above is evoked at the penultimate name otherwise a comma is printed following the name and checks if the list contains more than two names, if so, the comma will be printed anyway.
A description of the oxford comma and how to use it my blog. That extra comma, optional in the case above, is called the oxford comma. Lack of an oxford comma could cost company millions in. According to the wikipedia page for the oxford comma, use of the comma is consistent with conventional practice and use of the comma is inconsistent with conventional practice. Steven pinker on grammar feuds and the oxford comma the. Heres an example of a sentence with the oxford comma. She pursed her lips, raised her eyebrows, and kicked him in the balls. Totally politically incorrect, a throwback to the 70s, its our librarys homage to wozniak and a bit of levity in an overlyserious world. Dallas a drawing of jfk, stalin and two strippers has sparked outrage among some parents at a texas high school after a teacher used it in class to illustrate the importance of the oxford comma. To oxford comma, or not to oxford comma, that is the question.
Jan 23, 2016 in contrast, inclusion of an oxford comma renders the meaning unambiguous. Artwork original source grammar humor memes oxford comma. Some years ago a local newspaper carried a story about an application for planning permission which was being opposed by let us say mr brown and mrs white. If the oxford comma is, in fact, oxford, im the year you took off college to go chill with some maasai in kenya. Heres a quick definition if you havent been actively following this debate. For instance, take this classic example of when foregoing the oxford comma goes terribly wrong. As a former objectivist still a lowercase one i guess and ron paul 20082012 regional campaign coordinator, there isnt anything better on the internet today than this post and your comment. One of the most popular recent books on grammar, lynn trusss eats, shoots. With deep sense of humor and gratitude in my heart, i sincerely thank dr moon for helping me cure my parkinson disease. It recommends against using the oxford comma in most cases. It makes logical sense that every item in a list would be separated in the same way. This image, courtesy of the gloss, illustrates why. Herman melville wrote mobydick, billy budd, and bartleby, the scrivener.
While i generally avoid the term grammar nazi, it does bluntly convey the. This would be a better example on how to use the oxford comma. The subtle necessity of the poor, hated oxford comma the atlantic. Did the oxford comma come before its omission, or was the oxford comma traditionally omitted. He has translated wolfgang scivelbusch, thomas mann and. Bleasy to use vocabulary items are presented without ambiguity or the need for translation. May 03, 2017 few pieces of punctuation get peoples blood pumping like the oxford comma. Husband your honor as her husband, i can tell she also. This case backs up that habit as more than just an oldschool tic i.
To clarify, heres a synopsis of our examples in the copy corner blog on oxford commas. Grammer nazi submitted 3 years ago by neelpat sir we are mining too many useless minerals hitler scratches his chin in contemplation mine less then. The sentence is correct with or without the comma before and. The rhinoceri, washington, and lincoln illustrate why you. The official polish joke bookthe official italian joke. My biggest influences are my parents, god, and mother teresa. If the oxford comma is a prepster in chinos and a green lacoste polo, im a hipster in a dirty flannel shirt and skinny jeans. For german native speakers, the use of the oxford comma is a common source of confusion. I would like to thank my brothers, jesus, god, and batman just structure your sentences in a non ambiguous way. Grammar nazi stickers featuring millions of original designs created by. The serial comma, also known as the oxford comma, is the one before and in a series of three or more. That is the question which has been taxing the internet over the past 24 hours, after it emerged. He updates this blog in the same manner he lives his life.
The potential ambiguity of not using it is exaggerated in my opinion, so i dont think it matters. Feb 09, 2018 a judge ruled in the drivers favor last march, and it was all thanks to the lack of an oxford comma in a maine labor law. Adolf hitler wrote of his catholic initiation in a littleknown book, mein kampfirmation. Yet people are often taught that they should always use it or never use it. Everyone takes part, from marketers to writers to professors, and everyone has an opinion.
So basically, oxford is telling us to use the oxford comma but isnt going to. There is still a place for the oxford or serial comma. In english language punctuation, a serial comma, or series comma also called an oxford comma or harvard comma, is a comma placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction usually and or or in a series of three or more terms. I would like to make apple, raspberry and blueberry and peach pies for the festival. Jan 05, 2015 one of the claims made, on the podcast and in a medium post by the proprietor of a strange twitter account with a mission to sign celebrities up for team comma, is that there is never a situation in which an oxford comma doesnt add clarity. Examples like the one above have sparked some controversy, even among the punctuation gods, over whether the inclusion of the oxford comma should be standard. The thing about english is that there isnt really an official arbiter of what constitutes proper and or necessary elements of the language to be decided upon. Strippers, jfk, and stalin illustrate why you should use. An oxford comma is the comma used after the secondtolast item in a list. Authors answer 2 the oxford comma i read encyclopedias.
Getting rid of this test prevents the comma from being printed. A drunk staggers out of a bar and runs right into two priests. The example with the oxford comma differentiates the three different flavors of pies, while the example without it only differentiates two flavors of pies. Your reckless abuse of the oxford comma is furthering the. The new oxford picture dictionary and its components provide a complete, fourskills language development program. Indispensable oxford comma so, president obama is marrying raul castro. For example, a list of three countries might be punctuated either as france, italy and spain without the serial comma or france, italy, and. The oxford commathe superhero of punctuation cathleen townsend. The oxford comma vs harvard comma vs serial comma the last comma in that sentence above is an oxford comma, also known as the serial comma or the harvard comma. I do use the oxford comma, and i personally think everyone should.
The wacky example and pictures were created by a dallas high school teacher and used in class a few months ago. How to remove comma and and before institutional last. Zarez bez koga smo nosorozi oxford comma, grammar humor. And while i dont have particularly strong feelings about the oxford comma, the argument being made is that you must use it i disagree with this, which is why i have decided to start my own rebuttal meme. A funnier example of the commas necessity, via mental floss, gives an apparently real book dedication. Who would have thought that those in favour would have had such a diverse, democratic flavour. Dont switch back and forth in the same document between using the oxford comma and not using it. I helped my uncle jack off his horse makes me chuckle every time. The oxford comma by the oxford comma, released 08 september 2016 1. The illusive comma is a sneaky little punctuation that often sneaks into the wrong places, so i decided to write a guide on how to use a comma in fiction. It has neither the easy flamboyance of the ampersand nor the colons ability to surprise. See more ideas about oxford, grammar humor and grammar and punctuation. Lovely post on the serial comma or the oxford comma.
If sam brings salt, spices, and pans on the road to mordor, please, for the love of all thats sacred, put a comma after spices. On a personal note, id like to dedicate this blog post to my parents, ayn rand and god. You cant buy happiness but you can buy books and thats kind of the same thing sticker. Mention the two words, and almost all hell breaks loose. Why everyone on tinder is an oxford comma enthusiast. In maine, the muchdisputed oxford comma has helped a group of dairy drivers in a dispute with a company about overtime pay. The twoway an appeals court dispute between a maine dairy company and its delivery drivers came down to a single. In contrast, inclusion of an oxford comma renders the meaning unambiguous. While many of the sites i write for as a freelance blogger follow ap style including this one, which is sansserial comma, i still sneak one in when it seems needed to avoid potential confusion. Aug 26, 2015 the last comma is known as the oxford, harvard, or serial comma. If you read bob, a dj and a clown on a guest list, are three people coming to the party, or only one. Surprisingly, the number of times in which an author would use and. There are a few exceptions that require you to use the oxford comma in a list, but they are pretty rare.
780 923 1141 939 84 1263 1148 934 604 455 64 1157 1437 1359 1364 129 1175 1488 454 5 1257 910 1315 855 416 1250 1035 435 593 86 565 1141 637