THE BORE

General => The Superdeep Borehole => Topic started by: Howard Alan Treesong on May 12, 2008, 04:42:30 PM

Title: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on May 12, 2008, 04:42:30 PM: Oxford comma suxxx, why would you use a comma when you don't need one? Sentences have carbon footprints, too. Using the Oxford comma makes you look like a stuttering r-tard who's not sure if his list is done or not. Fuck, the, Oxford, comma.

Dropping the Oxford comma is like dropping some mad science. It shows you got sack and aren't afraid to plow right into the end of your sentence like it's an underage Thai ladyboy.

:piss Oxford comma :piss2
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Flannel Boy on May 12, 2008, 05:03:17 PM: The serial comma reduces ambiguity.

I met with three professors, two philosophers and a historian. (Did I meet with three people or six?)

I met with three professors, two philosophers, and a historian. (turns out it was six)

The serial comma helps make sentences more readable.

Today for lunch I had pizza, peanut butter and jelly and coffee.

Today for lunch I had pizza, peanut butter and jelly, and coffee.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on May 12, 2008, 05:06:48 PM: The serial comma introduces ambiguity:

I met with my professors, two philosophers and a historian. (you met with three people)

I met with my professors, two philosophers, and a historian. (oh God now I don't know how many people you met with)
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Van Cruncheon on May 12, 2008, 05:10:40 PM: Quote

I met with my professors: two philosophers and a historian.

use a colon

jesus, fegs, read elements of style
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Robo on May 12, 2008, 05:12:33 PM: who gives a fuck about an oxford comma
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on May 12, 2008, 05:12:40 PM: of course, Prole immediately thinks of the colon :-*
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: MrAngryFace on May 12, 2008, 05:13:01 PM: I just kinda wing it when im posting on forums
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Flannel Boy on May 12, 2008, 05:17:34 PM: Quote from: Synthesizer Patel on May 12, 2008, 05:06:48 PM
The serial comma introduces ambiguity:

I met with my professors, two philosophers and a historian. (you met with three people)

I met with my professors, two philosophers, and a historian. (oh God now I don't know how many people you met with)

But the serial comma would not be used in the second example since the elements are not of equal grammatical weight. The "two philosophers and a historian" stand in apposition to "professors." There are only two elements in the appositive; a comma would be out of place. You need at least three elements of equal grammatical weight before you may use a serial comma.

You are creating an Oxford Strawman.

Quote from: Professor Prole on May 12, 2008, 05:10:40 PM
Quote

I met with my professors: two philosophers and a historian.

use a colon

jesus, fegs, read elements of style

I would use a colon, but the comma is still grammatical.

And by the way, Strunk and White recommend the serial comma.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on May 12, 2008, 05:17:42 PM: Quote from: Kosma on May 12, 2008, 05:14:09 PM
There are rules to writing? ???

Evilbore isn't Nam!
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: AdmiralViscen on May 12, 2008, 05:20:31 PM: Shit is going down in here
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on May 12, 2008, 05:21:00 PM: Well, say the dedication of my new book Gimme da Gold reads:

To my father, Ron Paul and Jesus.

If it were:

To my father, Ron Paul, and Jesus.

Then it sounds like my father is Ron Paul. :gloomy

spoiler (click to show/hide)
[youtube=425,350]bZfyrIPw3wY[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZfyrIPw3wY
[close]
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Flannel Boy on May 12, 2008, 05:23:48 PM: Quote from: Synthesizer Patel on May 12, 2008, 05:21:00 PM
Well, say the dedication of my new book Gimme da Gold reads:

To my father, Ron Paul and Jesus.

If it were:

To my father, Ron Paul, and Jesus.

Then it sounds like my father is Ron Paul. :gloomy

spoiler (click to show/hide)
[youtube=425,350]bZfyrIPw3wY[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZfyrIPw3wY
[close]

To my friends, Ron Paul and Jesus.

Now it sounds like your friends are Ron Paul and Jesus. :gloomy
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on May 12, 2008, 05:24:53 PM: Quote from: Malek: King of Kings on May 12, 2008, 05:23:48 PM
Quote from: Synthesizer Patel on May 12, 2008, 05:21:00 PM
Well, say the dedication of my new book Gimme da Gold reads:

To my father, Ron Paul and Jesus.

If it were:

To my father, Ron Paul, and Jesus.

Then it sounds like my father is Ron Paul. :gloomy

spoiler (click to show/hide)
[youtube=425,350]bZfyrIPw3wY[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZfyrIPw3wY
[close]

To my friends, Ron Paul and Jesus.

Now it sounds like your friends are Ron Paul and Jesus. :gloomy

YOU JUST CHANGED THE GRAMMATICAL WEIGHT OF THE FIRST PART OF THE PHRASE

And you call me a strawman!!
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Powerslave on May 12, 2008, 05:27:22 PM: Grammar is so last year.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Flannel Boy on May 12, 2008, 05:34:52 PM: Quote from: Synthesizer Patel on May 12, 2008, 05:24:53 PM
Quote from: Malek: King of Kings on May 12, 2008, 05:23:48 PM
Quote from: Synthesizer Patel on May 12, 2008, 05:21:00 PM
Well, say the dedication of my new book Gimme da Gold reads:

To my father, Ron Paul and Jesus.

If it were:

To my father, Ron Paul, and Jesus.

Then it sounds like my father is Ron Paul. :gloomy

spoiler (click to show/hide)
[youtube=425,350]bZfyrIPw3wY[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZfyrIPw3wY
[close]

To my friends, Ron Paul and Jesus.

Now it sounds like your friends are Ron Paul and Jesus. :gloomy

YOU JUST CHANGED THE GRAMMATICAL WEIGHT OF THE FIRST PART OF THE PHRASE

And you call me a strawman!!

No I didn't. You are grasping at straws.

I dedicate this victory to my friends, Ron Paul, and Jesus. We will being going out to dinner later tonight where we will have bread sticks, pasta and shrimp, and wine.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: BlueTsunami on May 12, 2008, 05:37:52 PM: Inter, nets
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Flannel Boy on May 12, 2008, 05:41:57 PM: Before beginning assembly, ensure that you have all the following parts and that you have paired those that go together: C-100, M-100 and Y-980, T-200 and R-360 and T-590.

Patel, which is a pair here: T-200 and R-360, or R-360 and T-590?

If only someone used a serial comma!
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on May 12, 2008, 05:43:07 PM: Malek is (http://www.detroitlakesucc.org/images/Misc/comma.jpg)gay(http://www.detroitlakesucc.org/images/Misc/comma.jpg)
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: CajoleJuice on May 12, 2008, 05:43:26 PM: At least reading all those grammar handbooks has paid off for Malek.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Flannel Boy on May 12, 2008, 05:44:50 PM: Quote from: CajoleJuice on May 12, 2008, 05:43:26 PM
At least reading all those grammar handbooks has paid off for Malek.

Most of the ones I read actually agree with Patel on this issue.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on May 12, 2008, 05:45:28 PM: wow, Vampire Weekend has a song called "Oxford Comma." As I needed more proof they were terrible.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Eric P on May 12, 2008, 05:46:37 PM: Quote from: Synthesizer Patel on May 12, 2008, 05:45:28 PM
wow, Vampire Weekend has a song called "Oxford Comma." As I needed more proof they were terrible.

I rather enjoy vampire weekend
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Flannel Boy on May 12, 2008, 05:47:29 PM: Quote from: Synthesizer Patel on May 12, 2008, 05:45:28 PM
wow, Vampire Weekend has a song called "Oxford Comma." As I needed more proof they were terrible.

Only an indie rock band would write about punctuation.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: CajoleJuice on May 12, 2008, 05:47:35 PM: Quote from: Synthesizer Patel on May 12, 2008, 05:45:28 PM
wow, Vampire Weekend has a song called "Oxford Comma." As I needed more proof they were terrible.

What if they say it sucks in the song?
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Flannel Boy on May 12, 2008, 05:50:30 PM: Quote from: CajoleJuice on May 12, 2008, 05:47:35 PM
Quote from: Synthesizer Patel on May 12, 2008, 05:45:28 PM
wow, Vampire Weekend has a song called "Oxford Comma." As I needed more proof they were terrible.

What if they say it sucks in the song?

Quote
Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?
I've seen those English dramas too
They're cruel
So if there's any other way
To spell the word
It's fine with me, with me

Why would you speak to me that way
Especially when I always said that I
Haven't got the words for you
All your diction dripping with disdain
Through the pain
I always tell the truth

Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?
I climbed to Dharamsala too
I did
I met the highest lama
His accent sounded fine
To me, to me

Check your handbook
It's no trick
Take the chapstick
Put it on your lips
Crack a smile
Adjust my tie
Know your boyfriend, unlike other guys

Why would you lie about how much coal you have?
Why would you lie about something dumb like that?
Why would you lie about anything at all?
First the window, then it's to the wall
Lil' Jon, he always tells the truth

Check your passport
It's no trick
Take the chapstick
Put it on your lips
Crack a smile
Adjust my tie
Know your butler, unlike other guys
Why would you lie about how much coal you have?
Why would you lie about something dumb like that?
Why would you lie about anything at all?
First the window, then it's through the wall
Why would you tape my conversations?
Show your paintings
At the United Nations
Lil' Jon, he always tells the truth
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: CajoleJuice on May 12, 2008, 05:52:37 PM: So Vampire Weekend is on the same level of suckage as Patel, it seems.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: disgruntled_jojo on May 12, 2008, 05:56:53 PM: Quote
Warning - while you were reading 5 new replies have been posted. You may wish to review your post.

Holy, fuck. We never get this much excitement without a major game announcement. COMMATON

Back on topic:

I've been a huge supporter of the Oxford Comma since grade school. Not only does it make the sentence more accurately reflect the reality of where we pause when reading it, but it also support parallelism. Not giving a comma to each item in your list is discriminatory. Just because you came before the word and, you don't get a comma? What kind of unAmerican bullshit is that? :usacry

In related news, I once asked Patel to help proofread an article I was freelancing. He removed all of my Oxford Commas. Fucking grammar nazi.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Flannel Boy on May 12, 2008, 05:58:24 PM: Quote from: disgruntled_jojo on May 12, 2008, 05:56:53 PM
Quote
Warning - while you were reading 5 new replies have been posted. You may wish to review your post.

Holy, fuck. We never get this much excitement without a major game announcement. COMMATON

Back on topic:

I've been a huge supporter of the Oxford Comma since grade school. Not only does it make the sentence more accurately reflect the reality of where we pause when reading it, but it also support parallelism. Not giving a comma to each item in your list is discriminatory. Just because you came before the word and, you don't get a comma? What kind of unAmerican bullshit is that? :usacry

In related news, I once asked Patel to help proofread an article I was freelancing. He removed all of my Oxford Commas. Fucking grammar nazi.

I bet they don't use the oxford comma in Japan. :japancry
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Tieno on May 12, 2008, 06:01:06 PM: I never knew there was such a thing as the Oxford comma in name, though I have used it from time to time. Kinda cool to have a comma dedicated to a University/City.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: disgruntled_jojo on May 12, 2008, 06:01:28 PM: Quote from: Malek: King of Kings on May 12, 2008, 05:58:24 PM
I bet they don't use the oxford comma in Japan. :japancry

Dude, we're seriously not going to take this into other languages, are we? :cry
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Robo on May 12, 2008, 06:01:55 PM: Quote from: RoboJ on May 12, 2008, 05:12:33 PM
who gives a fuck about an oxford comma

:P
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on May 12, 2008, 06:02:04 PM: Quote from: Malek: King of Kings on May 12, 2008, 05:58:24 PM
Quote from: disgruntled_jojo on May 12, 2008, 05:56:53 PM
Quote
Warning - while you were reading 5 new replies have been posted. You may wish to review your post.

Holy, fuck. We never get this much excitement without a major game announcement. COMMATON

Back on topic:

I've been a huge supporter of the Oxford Comma since grade school. Not only does it make the sentence more accurately reflect the reality of where we pause when reading it, but it also support parallelism. Not giving a comma to each item in your list is discriminatory. Just because you came before the word and, you don't get a comma? What kind of unAmerican bullshit is that? :usacry

In related news, I once asked Patel to help proofread an article I was freelancing. He removed all of my Oxford Commas. Fucking grammar nazi.

I bet they don't use the oxford comma in Japan. :japancry

They call it the Toudai Comma :japancry
Also, in California we call it the Stanford Comma :american
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: disgruntled_jojo on May 12, 2008, 06:02:39 PM: Quote from: Tieno on May 12, 2008, 06:01:06 PM
I never knew there was such a thing as the Oxford comma. Kinda cool to have a comma dedicated to a University/City.

I vote that we dub the lack of an Oxford Comma the 'Stanford unComma', in honor of Patel.

edit: beaten by the man himself
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Phoenix Dark on May 12, 2008, 06:02:53 PM: i'm in a thread with many english scholars, including patel, TVC, and malek. i am not a scholar, actually i'm nobody. but i have other skills, like reading, singing, and pop and locking it
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on May 12, 2008, 06:03:33 PM: Quote from: disgruntled_jojo on May 12, 2008, 06:01:28 PM
Quote from: Malek: King of Kings on May 12, 2008, 05:58:24 PM
I bet they don't use the oxford comma in Japan. :japancry

Dude, we're seriously not going to take this into other languages, are we? :cry

GA vs. WA
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: treythemovie on May 12, 2008, 06:04:01 PM: Quote from: Synthesizer Patel on May 12, 2008, 05:45:28 PM
wow, Vampire Weekend has a song called "Oxford Comma." As I needed more proof they were terrible.
[youtube=425,350]n43LduK2Yq8[/youtube]
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: disgruntled_jojo on May 12, 2008, 06:04:45 PM: Also, apparently already given multiple names, via wikipedia:

Quote
The serial comma (also known as the Oxford comma or Harvard comma)...
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Oblivion on May 12, 2008, 06:06:16 PM: Grammar fegs...
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Eric P on May 12, 2008, 09:38:01 PM: Quote from: Oblivion on May 12, 2008, 06:06:16 PM
Grammar fegs...

they really get up in your colon
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on May 12, 2008, 09:39:03 PM: Quote from: Eric P on May 12, 2008, 09:38:01 PM
Quote from: Oblivion on May 12, 2008, 06:06:16 PM
Grammar fegs...

they really get up in your colon

they know how to interrobang you
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Eric P on May 12, 2008, 09:43:39 PM: i just realized i don't know enough about grammar to rattle off a dozen puns
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on May 12, 2008, 09:47:08 PM: I'd punctuate her so hard her hyphen would snap
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Flannel Boy on May 12, 2008, 10:00:19 PM: I don't care what your gender or mood is. I certainly don't need your agreement. Stick your clause into me, and I will compound you until you comma and scream expletives at me. I will then take an indirect object and slam it into your principal parts.

I just hope to god you don't miss your period.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: CajoleJuice on May 12, 2008, 10:03:59 PM: Man, how can you not get laid?
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Flannel Boy on May 12, 2008, 10:07:07 PM: Quote from: CajoleJuice on May 12, 2008, 10:03:59 PM
Man, how can you not get laid?
har har
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: CajoleJuice on May 12, 2008, 10:15:24 PM: Sorry, should've worked a pun in there.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Eel O'Brian on May 12, 2008, 10:16:33 PM: i love breaking grammatical rules, just to watch language nerds twitch, if you know what i mean

i mean, goddamn, if you follow the rules to a t, it makes for some boring prose, dig

but, then again, you guys like reading fantasy novels about elves, and goblins, and faeries, so you're probably used to boring prose
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Oblivion on May 12, 2008, 10:23:37 PM: I've gotten used to the all lower case, punctuation-less style of forumspeak as of late, but the kind that irks the milk out of me is when you use a capital letter but don't end with a period. GOD THAT SHIT'S ANNOYING!
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Vizzys on May 12, 2008, 10:24:18 PM: I have no idea what you mean

You saw this coming
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Flannel Boy on May 12, 2008, 10:37:21 PM: Quote from: Eel O'Brian on May 12, 2008, 10:16:33 PM
i love breaking grammatical rules, just to watch language nerds twitch, if you know what i mean

i mean, goddamn, if you follow the rules to a t, it makes for some boring prose, dig

but, then again, you guys like reading fantasy novels about elves, and goblins, and faeries, so you're probably used to boring prose

For stylistic reasons, many rules can be bent or broken. And really, there's no reason to fear split infinitives, sentences that begin with conjunctions, or end with prepositions (these aren't hard rules anyway). However, good writing does not need to be ungrammatical--and it usually isn't. Most people's writing would improve greatly if they fastidiously held to the rules, instead of veering carelessly away from them.
Title: Re: Let's fight about the Oxford comma
Post by: Joe Molotov on May 12, 2008, 10:57:34 PM: Who cares about proper comma usage? Just throw some in there, and hope for the best. Far more important to learn is how to properly use air quotes.

(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e295/JoeMolotov/air_quotes.jpg)