This sounds like a case where we should just change the syntax. If Betty is the maid it should be written:

    They went to Oregon with Betty [a maid], and a cook.

▲ 1659447091 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

This is how I was taught. Use ( ) or -- -- here and the Oxford comma for list of 3 or more.

I get lazy with adding the comma before the "and" in list, and without fail I hear my grandmother/father/teachers pointing out how wrong I am for doing so. Same for my use of semicolons followed by "and" or "but".

I never realized the Oxford comma was even something up for debate.

▲ dullcrisp 3 days ago | parent | prev [-]

(They (went (to Oregon) (with ((Betty (a maid)) and (a cook))))).

((That (is (the (most natural) syntax))) and ((all (of us)) (should (switch (to it))))).

	▲	thom 3 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Many years ago working on natural language to SQL, when we had ambiguities this is how we’d clarify things with the user (albeit with the minimal amount of brackets necessary).
	▲	readthenotes1 3 days ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		It looks like you might have learned how to diagram a sentence as a youth
	▲	yellowapple 2 days ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		It seems you're speaking with a Lisp :P