Punctuation - when did either/or become either / or?

[SwedishEdith]

When did / get a space before and after? I was reminded of it by another thread title (myself / yourself rather than myself/yourself) but I've noticed it for a while now.

It's definitely a recent change and I wonder why? Is it because it's easier to read on phone screens?

thelastgoldeneagle - thanks for that. I don't have a problem with style guides for professional writers and the need to decide between two or more equally valid options then stick to that consistently.

I just get a bit grumpy about people saying "so that means your way of doing it is wrong" especially if they claim it's grammatically incorrect, when it's little to do with grammar. I'm not writing for a publication, so no-one has authority to tell me how to use my own language. I'll happily listen to those who can helpfully point to where my use of language is unclear, or contains a genuine error of spelling or grammar.

Fair enough, @DadDadDad. Oh yes, the / has nothing to do with grammar. And you're right - often there is no 'right' and 'wrong' answers wrt grammar/style - and 'rules are chanign all the time.

Have you read Oliver Kamm's column in the Times? You'd enjoy that.

*'rules'
*changing