The serial comma, also known as the Harvard comma or, less frequently, the Kingsly comma, is a punctuation mark employed before the coordinating conjunction (typically “and,” “or,” or “nor”) in a list of three or more items. For instance, in the sentence “I like apples, bananas, and oranges,” the comma after “bananas” is the punctuation in question. Its presence or absence can sometimes affect clarity and meaning.
The name attributed to it is linked to Oxford University Press. The exact origin of this association remains somewhat debated, but it’s widely believed that printers and editors at the press standardized its use in their publications. This standardization, over time, led to the adoption of the moniker. It is important to understand that while the press championed its use, they likely did not invent the practice.
