Here’s the weird reason people are boycotting the Brexit 50p coin

Author Sir Philip Pullman has called for a boycott over the soon to be released Brexit 50p coin due to a ‘grammatical error’.

The Remain-supporting author is urging people not to spend the coin because the Oxford comma is missing from the inscription.

What is an Oxford comma?

Sir Philip has taken issue with the words on the Brexit 50p, stating it should be “boycotted by all literate people” for its omission of an Oxford comma.

The commemorative coin, which is due to be minted and released into circulation on Friday (31 Jan), reads, “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations.”

An Oxford comma is used after the penultimate item in a list of three or more items, which in this case should place it after the word “prosperity”.

However, it is not used universally and is often a topic of debate for grammar enthusiasts. In this case, its exclusion has caused outrage for the author.

‘Should be boycotted by all literate people’

Commenting on the error, Sir Philip wrote on Twitter, “The ‘Brexit’ 50p coin is missing an Oxford comma, and should be boycotted by all literate people.

“But even worse 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.”

The author’s comment sparked much debate on social media, with many agreeing, including Stig Abell, editor of The Times Literary Supplement, who tweeted, “The lack of a comma after ‘prosperity’ is killing me.”

Although there were some who were quick to disagree, with Susie Dent, from Countdown’s Dictionary Corner, saying that the use of the Oxford comma was optional.

Dent wrote, “Yes it is optional: it clarifies things quite often though, and I just find it easier and more consistent to use it all the time.”

Each 50p will be emblazoned with the inscription ‘Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations’ (Photo: Shutterstock)

When will the coins be released?

Keen coin collectors will be able to get their hands on the commemorative 50p from Friday 31 January 2020 - the so-called ‘Brexit day’, when the UK will depart from the European Union.

Around three million of the coins are set to be released, having been specially commissioned to commemorate the historic day, with the date expected to be printed on the coin.