TITLE: Does "either" make an exclusive or?
QUESTION [16 upvotes]: This is a very "soft" question, but regarding language in logic and proofs, should
"Either A or B"
Be interpreted as "A or B, but not both"?
I have always avoided saying "either" when my intent is a standard, inclusive or, because saying "either" to me makes it feel like an exclusive or.

REPLY [8 votes]: In everyday speech, "or" is usually exclusive even without "either." In mathematics or logic though "or" is inclusive unless explicitly specified otherwise, even with "either."
This is not a fundamental law of the universe, it is simply a virtually universal convention in these subjects. The reason is that inclusive "or" is vastly more common.