The Oxford Comma

Any curmudgeon of English descent is a serious user of the Oxford comma. As you, being smart enough to read this blog, no doubt do as well.

Using the Oxford comma is no trivial thing.

When I write a list of this, that, and the other thing, I use the Oxford comma. It is the last comma in the series clarifying just what your list is. Many omit that last comma and their lists become unintentionally confusing. To wit:

No Oxford comma: We invited the strippers, Bill Clinton and his wife. This, clearly suggests that the Clintons are the strippers. Ick.

With Oxford comma:  We invited the strippers, Bill Clinton, and his wife. Still ick as a social occasion, but much clearer.

Also known as the serial comma since the more commas, the better.

The Oxford comma rules.