Why Is Oxford Comma Called Oxford?

What Is the Oxford Comma? The Oxford comma is the final comma that comes before the conjunction in a list of three or more items. Its name comes from the Oxford University Press (OUP), where for over a century it has been standard in the Oxford Style Manual.

Who named the Oxford comma?

The Oxford comma has been attributed to Horace Hart, printer and controller of the Oxford University Press from 1893 to 1915, who wrote Hart’s Rules for Compositors and Readers in 1905 as a style guide for the employees working at the press.

Why is it called Harvard comma?

A: It’s named the Oxford/Harvard comma because the editors and printers at those respective university presses traditionally used it. It’s generally referred to as the serial comma in the US though.

Is the Oxford comma grammatically correct?

Are Oxford commas grammatically correct? Contrary to what most students believe, the Oxford comma isn’t grammatically correct. But that doesn’t mean it’s wrong to use it. Instead, it’s grammatically optional.

Why is the Oxford comma so controversial?

This practice is controversial and is known as the serial comma or Oxford comma, because it is part of the house style of Oxford University Press.” There are cases in which the use of the serial comma can avoid ambiguity, and also instances in which its use can introduce ambiguity.

Why is it called the Oxford?

The name Oxford comes from the old term ‘Oxanforda’ which literally meant a ford (shallow crossing) in the river where the cattle (Oxen) could cross safely.

Is the Oxford comma from Oxford?

One such style guide comes from Oxford University Press, which accounts for the origin of the term “Oxford comma.” Other style manuals, such as The AP Style Guide, advise against its use.

Why don t lawyers use the Oxford comma?

Use of the Oxford comma is mostly a matter of preference and varies by region and profession. Lawyers should use the Oxford comma to help avoid ambiguity. Three ambiguities may arise without this comma: Whether the two final items in a list are one combined element or separate.

Is the Oxford comma unprofessional?

While the Oxford comma is technically grammatically correct, it is most often unnecessary and pointless. Thus, writers and editors should eliminate the comma unless it is absolutely essential for comprehension.

Why do people talk about the Oxford comma?

Also known as the serial comma, the Oxford comma is the one that goes before “and” (or “or”) in a list of three or more things: “The American flag is red, white, and blue.” Fans of the Oxford comma think it prevents ambiguity.

Is the Oxford comma pretentious?

Despite its name, the Oxford comma is less likely to be used by Brits. There is a strong argument for taking the time to craft a sentence that is clear without extra punctuation. Some believe that the Oxford comma is a pretentious add-on used to make grammar nerds feel superior.

Is Oxford comma necessary in British English?

British and American English both use the Oxford comma like this, but they differ on when it is used: Typically, in British English, we only use an Oxford comma when a list would be unclear without one, such as in the example sentence above. In American English, it is often standard to use an Oxford comma in lists.

What’s the difference between an Oxford comma and a regular comma?

What is an Oxford comma? To give the Oxford comma its technical definition, it is a comma used before the final conjunction in a list of three or more items. When you’re writing a list, you naturally include commas to separate each item, but an Oxford comma is when you also put a comma before the “and [Final Item]”.

Why do people hate Oxford commas?

Many opponents of the Oxford comma claim that it makes a piece of writing sound more pretentious and stuffy, and that it can make things seem cluttered and redundant. Many magazine publishers renounce its use as well, because sentences loaded with commas take up valuable page space.

Does Cambridge use the Oxford comma?

In its own text, the guide by Cambridge omits serial commas; Oxford’s retains them. So for British English, use serial commas or omit them, but do so consistently. And if you go without, make sure to add a comma wherever its absence might create ambiguity.

Why is the Oxford comma going away?

The serial comma, dubbed the Oxford comma because of its use by writers and editors based at the University of Oxford, had been waning in popularity. For example, most journalists in Canada and the U.S. who follow the AP or CP stylebooks do not use it.

What was Oxford originally called?

Oxnaford
Oxford was first settled by the Anglo-Saxons and was initially known in Old English as Oxnaford and in Old Norse as Öxnafurða. The name is a portmanteau of “oxen’s ford”, which literally meant oxen’s shallow river crossing.

What is the literal meaning of Oxford?

Definition of oxford
(Entry 1 of 2) 1 : a low shoe laced or tied over the instep. 2 : a soft durable cotton or synthetic fabric made in plain or basket weaves. — called also oxford cloth. Oxford.

Was Harry Potter filmed at Oxford?

Many fans think of London when they think of Harry Potter, and while the city is home to myriad filming locations, it’s Oxford, England that really oozes Hogwarts’ vibes. Located about 60 miles from London, Oxford is where numerous Harry Potter scenes were filmed across Oxford’s colleges.

Is Oxford Dictionary British or American?

Oxford English Dictionary

Does Chicago style use Oxford comma?

Oxford style is usually associated with the “Oxford comma”—the comma before the conjunction in a series of three or more (like the one before “and” in “apples, oranges, and pears”). But this comma has also always been Chicago style.