Making my Thanksgiving salad dressing, I read in the list of ingredients "1/4 teaspoon salt/pepper." Because both condiments are named, I am going to assume that the recipe author meant this:
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
But why not say that? With the slash, "salt/pepper" can mean "salt and pepper," "salt or pepper"–that is, "salt and/or pepper."
Slashes can confuse people! Especially in important instructions–like recipes.
Now that I have had my Thanksgiving day rant, I wish you a lovely day!
Lynn
Syntax Training
P.S. To learn about the slash and many essential punctuation marks, take my online self-study course Punctuation for Professionals.
