You know when something can be either “or” or “and?” You may also say it is “and” and or “or”; “or” and/or “and,” if you will. That’s the inclusive or!

The Latin “vel” is a word for the inclusive or. I also just learned that the logic symbol, ∨, is called “vel” and is used for something called “disjunction” as opposed to “exclusive disjunction (⊻),” which is simply the exclusive or, which is the regular or in English.

Apparently the legal term “vel non” uses this word to mean “or not,” which means there’s at least a chance of it making it out of the courtroom and into the common lingo like quid pro quo, de jure, and de facto, did.

  • Rentlar
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    1 year ago

    “either or both” is what I’d say today for maximum clarity. and/or is fine too (for me)

    • We have veggie and beef hotdogs. Would you like either or both?
    • Would you like a veggie and or a beef hotdog?
    • You can have either or both a soup and salad with your main dish.
    • You can have a soup and or salad with your main dish.
    • Will you be taking either or both Music History and Greek Mythology as elective courses this year?
    • Will you be taking Music History and or Greek Mythology as elective courses this year?