A serial comma (or Oxford comma) is an optional comma used before the last item in a list. For example, “bread, butter, and tax evasion” uses a serial comma, whereas “bread, butter and tax evasion” does not.
Do you use it? Why or why not?
I always use it. I don’t perceive any less of a pause between the last two items in a list than between any others, so it feels natural to put a comma there as well. Tbh, I’m so used to it that I usually have to do a double-take when it’s not there (since it looks like a grammar error to me at first).
I tend to use it, but also Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma? (or more seriously) So I don’t really care or usually even notice if others do, since in 99% of cases you can understand from context what someone means, and if you still don’t, you can ask (and have a little chuckle together at a possibly absurd result to the omission)…