Do You Need the Oxford Comma?

 

The Oxford comma — used before “and” in a series — has divided editors, journalists, and English teachers for more than a century. So, do you really need it?

The Oxford comma sits at the center of one of the great debates of the English language. This punctuation mark — the comma often used before “and” in a series — inspires surprisingly strong opinions, dividing journalists, teachers, editors, and authors. In recent years, the debate over its usage has become something of a marker of grammar cred. While some consider it essential for clarity, others label it as clutter. So, do you really need the Oxford comma? Here’s what grammar rules, style guides, and history have to say.

 

What Is the Oxford Comma?

Also called the serial comma, the Oxford comma is placed immediately before the conjunction (usually “and” or “or”) in a series of three or more terms. For example, “My favorite book genres are mystery, historical fiction, and dystopian.” The final comma in the series, just before “and,” is the Oxford comma.

This comma has been used (and omitted) throughout English history, though it was not called the Oxford comma until the early 20th century. In 1905, Horace Hart, a printer for Oxford University Press, laid out a new requirement for his employees: They must include a final serial comma before the last item in a series. Because OUP was highly influential, the comma earned a nickname tied to the university. However, not all printing presses and grammar authorities followed suit — and thus the controversy began.

Today, usage of the Oxford comma remains mixed. Several major American style guides require it, including Chicago, MLA, and APA. The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook — the standardized style for journalism in the U.S. — generally does not. (Word Smarts primarily follows AP style, with a few notable exceptions, including using the Oxford comma.) Interestingly, the University of Oxford Style Guide — distinct from Oxford University Press — does not require it unless it is needed to prevent ambiguity.

Where does that leave questioning writers? Both options are grammatically correct in modern English, so if you aren’t following a specific style guide, it’s up to your personal preference whether or not to include the Oxford comma. Let’s take a closer look at when you might need it and why you would omit it.

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Why Some Writers Strongly Prefer It

As mentioned earlier, the Oxford comma was in use long before Horace Hart’s decree. For example, it appears many times in Mary Shelley’s famous 1818 Gothic novel Frankenstein: “The starry sky, the sea, and every sight afforded by these wonderful regions seem still to have the power of elevating his soul from earth.”

Sometimes the serial comma doesn’t impact the meaning of a sentence, but it can often enhance readability and prevent ambiguity. For example: “During her commencement speech, she thanked her parents, Cher and Conan O’Brien.” Without the Oxford comma, it reads as though the speaker’s parents are Cher and Conan O’Brien. With the comma, it’s clear she’s thanking her parents, as well as Cher and Conan O’Brien.

This is why many style guides, academic institutions, and book publishers require the comma, as it creates predictable sentence structure. Forgoing the Oxford comma can occasionally create costly or confusing ambiguity in legal or professional writing, which is why some see it as a practical tool rather than unnecessary punctuation.

Why Others Leave It Out

But for all those who champion the Oxford comma, it has its opposition. Some shrug it off as a redundant mark, citing a preference for cleaner, lighter punctuation. Even Thomas Jefferson decided to forgo the extra comma when he and his committee drafted the Declaration of Independence (1776): “… that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

In journalism, including AP style, the traditional rule is to omit it unless needed for clarity, as seen in the ambiguous commencement speech example above. Many simple sentences are perfectly understood without it because the conjunction does the heavy lifting: “She went to the grocery store, library and park.”

The omission of the Oxford comma points to a long-standing tradition in the journalism industry, dating back to a time when we received our news in print — not on screens. Printing presses could save space (and paper) by not using the Oxford comma, so it became the norm. But even outside of journalism, omitting the Oxford comma remains a widely accepted approach.

 

Do You Need It?

There is no universal rule across all English writing regarding the Oxford comma. Your priority should be to follow the relevant style guide, whether it’s MLA for academics or your company’s grammar rules. If you aren’t following a style guide, the choice is a matter of preference. Whichever you choose, stay consistent throughout your writing, because this tiny mark can leave a big impression.

 

What Is a Folk Etymology?

 

 Sometimes a story is too good to be believed. Such is the case with folk etymologies. They are enticing stories about a word’s origin, but ultimately false.

Etymology is a fascinating field — it’s a branch of linguistics concerned with tracing the development of a word from the earliest recorded instance and following a word’s transmission from one language to another. For example, the etymology of the word “magazine” is that it comes from the Arabic “makhazin,” meaning “storehouse,” and it entered into English in the 15th century. Today, the word is used both for ammunition storage and for your glossy periodicals, as a storehouse of information.

An etymologist is a person who conducts the research and documentation of etymology. They use historical records and other reference materials to accurately trace the origin and evolution of words and phrases. Sometimes, however, a story about the origin of a word spreads without the careful research of an etymologist. If a story sounds plausible, it can circulate and gain traction, even if it’s somewhat fanciful. These made-up — yet still widely distributed — stories about the origins of certain words and idioms are called folk etymologies, akin to folklore. Here are some examples. 

Posh

The folk etymology of “posh” is that it’s an acronym for “port out, starboard home,” denoting the cooler (in terms of temperature) side of ships traveling from England to India and back in the 1800s. Those cabins were more expensive, so “POSH” was supposedly stamped on the tickets of first-class passengers. From there, “posh” came to mean “elegant.”

It’s a great story, but no known evidence supports it. The more likely origin story, which is not nearly as enticing, is that “posh” was a 19th-century British slang word meaning “money,” and referring more specifically to a halfpenny. The source of the slang is Romani, the language of people who had migrated to England from South Asia. That Romani word, posh-hórri, means “halfpenny.”

In British slang of the same period, “posh” also referred to a dandy, a man unduly devoted to fashion. This usage may have reinforced the sophisticated meaning of “posh,” but it has nothing to do with an acronym.

Marmalade

Mary, Queen of Scots, reportedly suffered from seasickness. After one sea voyage crossing the English Channel, she arrived in Dundee, where French was spoken, and was served a tasty quince dessert to make her feel better. Accordingly, this dessert was dubbed Marie est malade, meaning “Mary is sick.” 

Don’t believe that story. The word “marmalade,” for a sweetened jelly containing fruit and fruit rind, joined the lexicon in the 1500s with reference to a preserve made from quince purée. The Portuguese marmelada is a derivative of marmelo, meaning “quince.” The real story has nothing to do with Mary, Queen of Scots.

 

Pumpernickel

During Napoleon’s German campaigns, he disliked the local dark rye bread so much that he declared it “pain pour Nicol,” bread only suitable for his horse, Nicol.

Again, a good story, but a folk etymology. “Pumpernickel” actually derives from the German pumpern, meaning “to break wind,” and Nickel, meaning “goblin.” Centuries ago, this bread was made from very coarsely ground rye berries and could cause flatulence. (Perhaps the sounds were blamed on a goblin.) The issue has since been resolved as today’s pumpernickel bread is made with more refined flour.

 

Why Is It Called Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras may be known for parades and beads, but its name tells a story of a centuries-old relationship between food and faith.

“Mardi Gras” translates literally from French as “Fat Tuesday,” a fitting name that captures both the colorful indulgence and the timing of this famous celebration. “Fat” refers to the rich, indulgent foods traditionally consumed on the day, while “Tuesday” marks its place on the calendar. Mardi Gras always falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent and the start of the 40-day Lenten season in the Christian calendar.

The culinary traditions of the holiday originated in medieval Europe, where Christians developed a custom of using up the butter, eggs, red meat, and other decadent foods forbidden during Lent’s fasting period. This was a practical necessity, but it also happened to be great fun, so the day evolved into one of celebration and excess.

French Catholics brought these traditions to North America, with the first American Mardi Gras taking place near present-day New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 3, 1699. In New Orleans, French colonial influences slowly combined with Spanish, African, Caribbean, and Native American cultures to create the distinctive celebration we recognize today, with its parades, elaborate costumes, king cakes, and famous bead throwing. The name, however, remained decidedly French.

Lentous

 

Lentous (LEN-tuhs)  adjective: Sticky; viscous. From Latin lentus (sticky, viscous, tenacious; also slow). Earliest documented use: 1646.

Jaundiced

  

Jaundiced means “showing or influenced by feelings of distrust, distaste, or hostility.” Someone described as jaundiced, or as possessing jaundiced opinions or views, is typically understood to feel that way because of negative past experiences.