People are trolling Philip Pullman over his Brexit 50p boycott and he’s taking them down one at a time

John Plunkett. Updated January 27th, 2020

His Dark Materials author Philip Pullman isn’t the only person who’s not happy with the so-called Brexit 50p piece, but he is amongst the most famous (and vocal) about it.

The novelist took to Twitter to vent his displeasure about the coin, and in particular the absence of this.

The 'Brexit' 50p coin is missing an Oxford comma, and should be boycotted by all literate people.

— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) 26 January 2020

‘The ‘Brexit’ 50p coin is missing an Oxford comma, and should be boycotted by all literate people.’

There was no shortage of people agreeing with him. People like this person, for instance.

Not perhaps the only objection, but the lack of a comma after “prosperity” is killing me. pic.twitter.com/ZCN6Zt45cH

— Stig Abell (@StigAbell) 26 January 2020

But there were also lots of people who took issue with Pullman, and he took them down one tweet at a time.

Where are the Cambridge commas, I'd like to know.

— Ashley Reynolds (@AshleyBbD) 26 January 2020

In the same place as your question mark.

— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) 26 January 2020

One of the most divisive linguistic devices in the English language and surely optional?

— Nichola Lashmar (@nichola_lashmar) January 26, 2020

Only if you think your readers don't deserve clarity.

— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) January 26, 2020

But we’re British goddammit and we don’t use the Oxford comma!!!😉

— Charlotte D 🇬🇧🇪🇺🔸 (@ldnewbie1974) 26 January 2020

Well, you should.

— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) 26 January 2020

The Oxford comma is an indulgence of one printing press and is not correct grammar in UK English. "No-one" has heard of it. You are simply showing off.

— Alan Saunders✋trying to be fair (@Alan_Saunders57) 26 January 2020

Nothing to do with grammar. It's a matter of orthography.

— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) 26 January 2020

I rest my case, as they say. Pompous arse. Look up what orthography is, you may be surprised.

— Alan Saunders✋trying to be fair (@Alan_Saunders57) January 26, 2020

Your case is resting by itself. It's going nowhere. The presence or absence of a comma is nothing whatever to do with grammar, but everything to do with the conventions of written language. Orthography. Dimwit.

— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) January 26, 2020

Others just had questions, although Pullman was happy to put them right as well.

Is the Pullman “Grammar, punctuation, and correct useage” volume going to be in print soon? A nation expects and needs.

— Paul Blezard (@PaulBlezard) 26 January 2020

Usage. Thank you, Paul.

— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) 26 January 2020

I had two English teachers, one would mark you down for using an Oxford comma, and the other would mark you down if you didn't. It got a little confusing…

— Harry Allen (@Harrysimonallen) January 26, 2020

One of them was wrong, and the other was right.

— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) January 26, 2020

But if you think he’s grumpy about Oxford commas, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

But worse even than comma misuse is the advertiser's habit of using adjectives as nouns, as in 'Find your happy', provoking most justly my wrath and indignation against them.

— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) 26 January 2020