The strongest argument I heard for using the serial comma is that it gives items in a series equal weight. It is the reason I use it even when clarity is not a major concern.

I can't believe I even have an opinion. Pre- buffista it was an arbitrary rule.

As a matter of interest, are there any Americans here opposed to the serial comma?

I'm against it, and it's fussiness will be properly weeded out by the English language's incessant drive towards expedience.

By the same taken I don't use the possessive "s" on a word that ends in "s." Like: Waits' instead of Waits's

Cilantro: No. Yuck. Soapy.

Olives: Yes, Greek, Italian, black, green, fancy, in a can, on a pizza yep.

Muffaletta: If it doesn't have olives it's not a muffaletta!

I've stayed with Kristin

D'oh! See, this is exactly what I meant. Of course you have!

t runs off to edit

And, weighing on on Delurking questions:
Cilantro=YUM
Olives I can take or leave (unsurprisingly, same with muffalettas)
Serial comma= yes, though I will reluctantly abandon it if I must
I learned two spaces after the period and had a very hard time letting go of it in grad school but was finally persuaded to do so. Now I always use one and get annoyed with more.
I go back and forth with the extra possessive s.

Did that many Buffistas live in PDX before last year when I moved out of Oregon? *kicks self* I may have played kickball against one of you and not even realised it.

I met my first Buffistas this year at Comic-Con: Polter-Cow, and EpicTangent. ET was totally random; we pulled her out of a crowd to take a picture of our group in costume, and I commented on her Gothic Charm School shirt.

To address billytea's question, this American is firmly pro-serial comma. I'm a bit of a freak, though, because I also like British spelling. Extra u's, whee! I draw the line, however, at spelling "tire" with a y. That just ain't right. Though I don't know if that's British or just Australian.

By the same taken I don't use the possessive "s" on a word that ends in "s." Like: Waits' instead of Waits's

I was taught to only use the "s" if it is pronounced, so Waits' is fine, but it's Frances's not Frances'. I'm pretty sure I picked that up back in when I was writing my dissertation and had to follow MLA to the letter.

billytea, I was taught not to use it and, in general, am opposed to it.

See, now I want to know your policy on the metric system.

I will probably miss someone out here, but I have stayed with: Trudy, Kristin, Anne W, Steph, NoiseDesign & Kristin, Hec & JZ, Perkins and Cass. I've also visited the homes of MiracleMan & Aims, Plei and Pete & Jilli. (I've met free-range Buffistas too numerous to mention, of course, having attended a F2F.)

To address billytea's question, this American is firmly pro-serial comma. I'm a bit of a freak, though, because I also like British spelling. Extra u's, whee! I draw the line, however, at spelling "tire" with a y. That just ain't right. Though I don't know if that's British or just Australian.

Hee. Allow me to interest you in a couple of others. I flew here today in my own private aeroplane. The judge sentenced him to a 3-year gaol term. Daynjah daynjah daynjah.

When I was in Philly, my office was in the office building at Centre Square. I still have no answer as to why it features the British spelling.

I was taught that if it's a name that's also a plural word, then no extra s. So if they're names, then it's Rivers', but James's. This rule seems odd, though, and I don't always follow it.

I was also taught that the exceptions are Jesus', Moses', and Isis', because Jesus's or Moses's is just too many s sounds in a row.

Have I met you, billytea? I can't remember. I don't think so.

I only moved to Oregon last year, so you probably would have missed me either way, Una. I love it a lot, though. It's a great place to live, especially the inner SE.

Hec & JZ

That's right! Plus boating on Stowe Lake with Emmett and me while discussing Animal Senses Beyond the Human Range.

Oooh, Hil. I have hung out with Hil several times! I think the first time I met you was in Georgetown, actually.